Stoughton High Boys’ Tennis Team Picks up First Win in Convincing Fashion

It took 11 matches for the to earn its first win in 2011, but the wait wasn’t nearly as long in 2012.

After being edged at Foxboro, 3-2, last Tuesday to start the season, the Black Knights bounced back in match #2, beating Norwood, 4-1, Thursday afternoon on the road, evening their record at 1-1.

Against Norwood, coach Matt Bernstein said Stoughton “dominated right from the start.”

Jalen Joseph, a junior, won his second consecutive match at first singles to start the season, this one in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4.

Third singles player, senior Ross Andler, won the decisive third match against Norwood in come-from-behind fashion, dropping the first set 6-3, but rebounding to take the next two sets, 6-4, 6-4. It was his first career varsity win, Bernstein said.

Both of Stoughton’s doubles teams also won.

The first doubles tandem of Junior Sheldon Oliveira and Junior Cris Oliveira won their second straight match this season, 6-2, 2-6, 6-0. The second doubles team of senior captain Joey Ialuna and senior Steve Colling won in two sets, 7-5, 6-3.

Against Foxboro, Joseph pulled out a three set win at first singles and the Oliveira duo won their first doubles match in three sets, accounting for Stoughton’s two points.

Stoughton (1-1) looks to get above the .500 mark when the Black Knights travel to Franklin on Wednesday.