McDonogh yesterday took the first step toward having a shot at winning the National Prep School Team Tennis Championships. Now comes the hard part.
The host Eagles won their first two matches on the opening day of competition in the seven-team tournament. McDonogh is tied for the top spot with DeMatha and the Dwight School (N.Y.) and one game ahead of 1996 champion Deerfield (Mass.). But the Eagles must play Dwight and Deerfield today.
McDonogh faces Dwight at 9 a.m., then meets Deerfield at 1 p.m. It is a difficult day on paper after a much easier opening round. Despite cool temperatures and a strong crosswind, the Eagles blanked Augusta Prep (Ga.) and St. John's at Prospect Hall (Frederick), 4-0.
No. 1 Chris Chiu, The Sun's co-All City/County Player of the Year, won a match in singles and helped win a pair in doubles. No. 2 Zach Myers won once in singles and in doubles. Eric Ottenheimer, Chad Brand, Chris Levy and August Ongkasuwan scored points.
"I was happy with my kids, but I was looking over my shoulder," said McDonogh coach Laddie Levy. "Dwight, DeMatha and Deerfield look awfully tough."
DeMatha went 19-0 this season while capturing its third straight Washington Catholic Athletic Conference title. The Stags quickly made their point here by beating Deerfield, which some thought might be the tournament's best, 4-1. They came back later to beat Augusta, 4-0.
"You're going to have to beat them at some point, and I think the kids were eager to play Deerfield," said DeMatha coach George Thayer. "I was happy about their reaction."
Bryan Rowland played strongly at No. 1 for the Stags, as did No. 4 Andrew Davis.
For Dwight, it also was an easy day. The New York school blanked Western Reserve Academy (Ohio) and St. John's at Prospect Hall, 4-0. Dwight was 21-1 this season and lost to Cardozo in the Mayor's Cup final in New York.
Deerfield lurks behind McDonogh, DeMatha and Dwight at 1-1. The Massachusetts school is one of New England's best and rebounded from its surprising score with DeMatha to beat Western Reserve, 4-0.
Scores: McDonogh 4, Augusta 0; DeMatha 4, Deerfield 1; Dwight 4, Western Reserve 0; McDonogh 4, St. John's, Prospect Hall 0; DeMatha 4, Augusta 0; Deerfield 4, Western Reserve 0; Dwight 4, St. John's Prospect Hall 0.
Standings: McDonogh 2-0; DeMatha 2-0; Dwight 2-0; Deerfield 1-1; Western Reserve 0-2; Augusta 0-2; St. John's, Prospect Hall 0-2.
Pub Date: 6/09/98