RallyNorth.net

Wed, Jun 10, 2015 02:30 PM @ Andover

Team	Final
Newton South	2
Andover	3

Rooks overcomes cramps to lead Andover to North Finals

The Andover boys tennis team is headed back to the Division 1 North Finals after beating Newton South 3-2 thanks in large part to a gritty performance by junior Drew Rooks.

Rooks won his match at third singles 5-7, 7-5, 6-3 to clinch the victory for the Golden Warriors, but not before first having to fight through painful cramps that left him hobbled for much of the match.

"He was tough, determined and played really smart," said Andover coach Mike Wartman. "He won the second set and in the third set there was a break in between, so he had a chance to collect himself."

By the time Rooks took the court for the third set, his teammates Ryan Fu and Andrew Imrie had already won their singles matches 6-1, 6-1 to give Andover a lead, but over the next few minutes, Newton South pulled out a pair of close victories in the doubles matches, leaving all eyes on Rooks and his opponent Levi Shlyankevich to see which team would advance.

"Everyone was watching that match, both teams were cheering, it was a great high school match," Wartman said. "The other team deserves a lot of credit, the other player had a lot of sportsmanship and it was a great match all around."

Andover will now face Acton-Boxboro in the Division 1 North Final, which will be held this Friday at 3:30 p.m. at Wayland High School.