Lincoln Academy junior Jordan Friedland captured the Maine State Boys’ Tennis Championship, Memorial Day at Colby College in Waterville. The state championship was the first in Lincoln Academy’s history.
Friedland was undefeated during the KVAC season, and has not lost a match during a KVAC match in all three years competing with the Eagles at number one singles. In three years, Friedland has lost only two sets in KVAC competition.
Fifth seed Friedland drew a bye in the round of 48 competing at the state tournament. He swept Andrew Lamonica of York 6-0,6-0 in the round of 32 on May 25. On Saturday, Friedland beat Patrick Stewart of Bangor 6-4,6-3 in the round of 16, and fourth seed Tyler Adams of Bonney Eagle6-3,6-3 in the round of eight to advance to the semi-finals.
Friedland took on the number one seed Patrick Ordway of Waynflete in the semi-finals on Monday and fell behind early 5-7 in the first set. Friedland rallied to win 6-1,6-4 in the second and third sets to advance to the state championship. The match lasted two and a half hours.
Friedland took second seed Justin Brogan of Falmouth to three sets in the state championship match. He won the first set 6-4, lost the second set 5-7, then won the third 6-3 to win the State title. The match was Friedland’s second two and a half hour match of the day.
“I do a lot of training outside of the team,” Friedland said of his stamina in the marathon matches.
“Jordan played the best tennis I’ve seen him play. He was extremely consistent. His opponents in the semi-finals and finals had different playing styles. To adapt to both of them with an hour between matches is a testament to his skills,” LA coach Michael Blake commented.
Eagle tennis player Brandon Blake advanced to Friday’s round of 48, and lost to Ryan Custy of York 6-1,6-1 and was eliminated from the state tournament.
