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Andover and Central Catholic are developing a nice rivalry, playing for the MVC boys tennis title for the second straight season. Thanks to Evan Birenbaum and Justin Edelman winning a three-set war at first singles, the Golden Warriors defended their crown, 3-2. Another entertaining match came at second singles as Andover's Christian Waters and Central's Chris Bunker went back and forth before Waters broke a 5-5 second-set tie to win eight of the final 10 games.

Ryan Barrows has reveled in his move to third singles, winning six straight matches including yesterday's, the deciding point in North Reading's 3-2 win over Lynnfield.

Top seed Londonderry got off to a flying start in Division 1 tourney play, sweeping its singles matches against No. 8 Salem before rain cancelled the doubles contests. Alex Burbine and Harison Max each won 8-0 decisions as part of the shutout. The Lancers will host the winner of the match between fifth seed Bishop Guertin and No. 4 The Derryfield School tomorrow at 4 p.m.

Josh Shellmer stepped up to second singles for a rare start and performed very well in a straight-set victory, the highlight of Methuen's 5-0 blanking of Lowell. Joe Perrone avenged a loss to Lowell earlier in the season at first singles for the Rangers.

Sneaking their match in despite a persistent drizzle, Central Catholic was able to defeat Haverhill, 4-0. Owen O'Leary and Billy Manchinton played a rare varsity match and competed well, winning a three-set battle at second doubles.

Led by a win at first singles by Ryan Swanson, Pentucket clinched the Cape Ann League Large boys tennis title with a 5-0 victory over Wilmington.

"The kids are so pumped," said Sachems coach Christian Langlois. "Every one of the kids playing on the varsity team was playing varsity two years ago when were were (4-12). So this is a huge deal for them."

For the first time in 20 years, Phillips Academy won the NEITA title by defeating Taft School, 4-2 at Groton School. Mark Adamson clinched the title with his 6-4, 4-6, 6-1 victory at second singles, and freshman James Heaney climbed back from a 5-0 third-set deficit to win at fifth singles. "We were in some danger when we lost our doubles matches and had to win four of six singles matches but the kids played brilliantly," head coach Greg Wilkin said.

Playing slightly shorthanded due to a senior trip, Sanborn lost its last match of season, 9-0 to Conant. The first doubles tandem of Chris Matthews and Steve Soterakopoulos battled strongly for the Indians, dropping a tight match in a tiebreaker.

With the match to be decided on the final matchup, Marc Letayf and Eamonn Lonergan hung in for a 6-4, 7-5 win at No. 2 doubles and give Central Catholic a 3-2 win over Chelmsford.

Tyler Vaz and Colin Johnson had never played together at the varsity level but the Andover second doubles team pulled out a gritty 6-4, 7-6, 7-1 in a 4-1 win over Methuen.