23°
New Canaan boys tennis coach Dan Borgman won 10 Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference championships entering Thursday's final against Staples. Borgman's problem was the last one was in 1995. Now, the Rams can make room in their trophy case for another piece of hardware.
Nick Laub won a dramatic three-set match at fourth singles and the Rams upset previously unbeaten Staples, 4-2, to claim the FCIAC title at Wilton High School. New Canaan won three singles matches and first doubles to improve to 17-3. Staples (18-1) won first and fifth singles.
Laub clinched the match with a 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-3 win over Jake Hirschberg at fourth singles. Laub broke Hirschberg in the final set in the first game, and built a 4-0 lead. Hirschberg had two breaks, but Laub's power was too much for Hirschberg. "I think we were just tired,'' Laub said. "I was cramping up at the end. I knew if I could get a break or two, I could hold it."
Chase Urban and Kevin Budrawich also won singles matches, while the first doubles team of Peter Huff and Patrick Newton also earned a key point. Borgman's team lost to Staples during the regular season, but he believed in his team.
"This was my dream,'' Borgman said. "These guys are tough minded, and I told them if they play their best, they'll win." Borgman has captured 25 state titles, but the league crown is particularly gratifying. "You're playing against the best teams in the state right here,'' Borgman said.
New Canaan 4, Staples 2
Danny Hirschberg (S) def. Ben Lee, 6-2, 6-0; Chase Urban (NC) def. Jesse Heussner, 6-1, 6-2; Kevin Budrawich (NC) def. Cam Marco, 6-1, 6-1; Nick Laub (NC) def. Jake Hirschberg 6-7 (7-5), 6-2, 6-3.; Graham Hyman (S) def. Steve Evans, 6-1, 6-3; Peter Huff and Patrick Newtown (NC) def. Kevin McDonald and Jordan Ratner, 6-4, 6-3; Conner Hedley and Will Burger (NC) vs. Alex Ratner and Sam Hickock (S) was not completed.
Click here to follow Daily Voice New Canaan and receive free news updates.
