CAMBRIDGE — Playing under unexpected circumstances, not easy. St. John’s Prep’s tennis team finished its Division 1 state title match at 8:30 p.m. on Saturday, despite the original starting time scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
That said, The Prep has defied the odds all season long, and now, adds a state championship. The top-seeded Eagles defeated No. 2 Concord-Carlisle, 4-1, at MIT’s duPont Athletic Center to complete a perfect 22-0 season.
It’s the program’s fifth state title, all under coach Mark Metropolis, a Peabody resident and former teacher at Peabody High. The Prep’s last victory in a state final was in 2001.
“Most determined team I’ve ever had. When we lost to Lexington in the semifinals, 3-2, last year, the kids said we’re going to work harder and win it, but you just think it’s kids’ talking. Turned out, it wasn’t,” Metropolis said. “They set the goals and they met them.”
Luke Free set the tone, winning first at third singles in 6-2, 6-1 fashion over Charlie Derkazarian. From there, the second doubles team of Mark McDuffee, of Lynnfield, and Alex Melville took care of business against Pedro Nachbin, 6-2, 6-2, to put the pressure on.
Facing a 2-0 hole, Concord-Carlisle’s Lucas Bikkesbaker secured his team’s first point with a 6-4, 6-1 win over Prep’s John DeAngelis to make it 2-1.
“Everything else was nip-and-tuck, and Jack Prokopis secured the win for us at second singles to clinch the march,” Metropolis said. “Scores don’t indicate how close the match was.”
For the record, Prokopis (Lynnfield) defeated Ben Ostrowsky in straight sets, 6-3, 6-4.
From there, the reliable duo of Luke Prokopis (also of Lynnfield and Jack’s twin brother) and Boris Kouzminov earned a doubles win, 6-3, 7-5, over Dan Lynch and Arman Samani.
“These kids played so well and were a determined bunch,” Metropolis said.
The Prep celebrated with dinner in Cambridge after a 10-0 conference record, 20-plus wins, an undefeated season, and now, the state title.
