The Warwick boys tennis co-op split its first two matches of the season as it enters its third year as a partnership. The co-op dropped the season opener to Providence Country Day 5-2 but bounced back to sweep Scituate 7-0 the following match.

John Maynard won his singles match against PCD in three sets, coming back to win 4-6/ 6-4/ 7-6. William King and Alex Marsis won their match at second doubles 6-4/ 6-2.

Top singles player Cornelius Zmed won 6-0/ 6-1 while Parker Weldy picked up a 6-3/ 6-1 win at second singles against Scituate. Josh Maynard won at third singles, 6-1/ 6-2 while John Maynard won in the fourth spot, also 6-1/ 6-2.

Etienne Degos and Jacob Scott took home a 6-2/ 7-5 win at first doubles, while King and Marsis won 6-2/ 6-3. Avery Marques and Alex Mihalos won 6-1/ 2-6/ 7-2 at third doubles to complete the shutout win. 

The co-op took a step forward as a program last season by finishing the regular season 6-6 and reaching the Division III playoffs, where they fell to Burrillville in the opening round.

Some key upperclassmen return to the lineup, including John and Josh Maynard and Scott. However, much of the lineup is occupied by a large freshman class, with guys like Zmed, Weldy and Marsis making early impacts.

With a balanced lineup and quality depth with 23 players in the program, Warwick coach Matthew Morris hopes to see the team get back to the playoffs and advance past the first round.

“They finished 6-6 last year and made the playoffs. I think being able to be 6-6 compared to what they had been was a win. I think with the experience that you have playing high school tennis from Josh and John Maynard, Jacob Scott, William King, and the other tennis experience the others have, I hope they go far,” said Morris.

Morris is also excited to have a young group to work with moving forward and has been encouraged by their dedication starting at the middle school level with Vets.

“They seem like a good group of players and they also want to do well and have a good season. They recognize that they have a decent amount of talent on the team this year. They’re taking the co-op in stride. we’re taking the best of both schools and presenting it to the state,” Morris said.