As it began to drizzle over Bow’s tennis courts on Friday, the scent in the air smelled like victory.
After winning four singles matches, the third-seeded Falcons boys’ tennis team (12-3) just needed one doubles win. They swept all three quickly to beat No. 6 Winnacunnet in the Division II quarterfinals, 7-2.
“This is the strongest lineup I’ve had one through nine since I’ve been coaching,” said Bow’s head coach Jay Yvars.
The Hall brothers, junior Carter and freshman Ethan, were the first to knock down the dominoes. Playing at the second and third spots behind junior Milo Cocola, the Hall’s were on fire.
Ethan Hall won his No. 2 match over Drew Berry. He took an early 4-1 lead and kept it comfortable to win 8-2. His consistency was crucial in causing unforced errors, as well as winning early points on his serve.
Carter Hall finished his match nearly simultaneously as his younger brother in a similar fashion. Powerful serves and smart play from the back line and at the net saw him outlast Aurelius Curro, 8-2.
“We’ve been working mostly every day doubles, especially, we were pretty confident in our singles,” Carter Hall said.
No. 4 junior Jacob Gancarz beat out Bobby MacIver, 8-2. He won his last serve in a clean sweep, going up, 40-0, and finishing with power. Then, No. 6 junior Jack French finished his singles, 8-2, against Jacob Potuin.
The longest single matches were the only two losses of the afternoon for Bow.
Cocola faced a formidable sophomore No. 1 David Cucceu, who advanced to the third round of the singles tournament last year as a freshman. Cocola fell, 8-4. The other loss was by Sawyer Whiting, who fell to Jake Powers, 8-4.
Both redeemed themselves with dominant doubles play — Cocola with Jacob Gancarz and Whiting with Jack French.
The advantage in singles gave Bow comfort going into the doubles. None of them were ever in question.
“When you come in 4-2, that takes a lot of pressure off the doubles,” Yvars said.
The Hall brothers played at the No. 1 spot and took an early lead, 4-1. Cocola and Gancarz played at the No. 2 and also took an early, 4-1, lead.
As the Winnacunnet players looked around and it began to rain, their hopes of beating Bow grew dim.
No. 4 Bow junior Jacob Gancarz won his singles match 8-2 over the Warriors’ Bobby MacIver in the D-II quarterfinals. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
No. 6 Jack French got the fourth singles win for the Falcons to set up the team for a swift victory in doubles over Winnacunnet in the Division II quarterfinals. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
No. 1 junior Milo Cocola fell in singles but redeemed himself in doubles alongside Jacob Gancarz. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
No. 5 freshman Sawyer Whiting, the youngest Bow starter, played well in singles but lost 8-4 before coming back to win in doubles alongside Jack French, 8-4. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor 
Jacob Gancarz serves in acrobatic fashion in No. 2 doubles with Milo Cocola against Winnacunnet’s Aurelius Curro and Bobby MacIver. Credit: ALEXANDER RAPP / Monitor
The win over Winnacunnet (9-6) also signified redemption and a new beginning. Bow had lost to the Warriors in its season opener and was knocked out by them 9-0 in last year’s quarterfinal.
The Falcons have come a long, long way since then.
Next, they’ll face one of the most dominant teams in the Division, Hollis-Brookline. On May 18, the No. 2 Cavaliers (13-2) nearly swept them 8-1.
Yvars said he feels good about his team’s chances. He believes his team has the momentum to pull it out.
Bow will face them for the semifinals on Tuesday at 4 p.m. away from home.
“I think it was incredible individually and collectively as a team,” Ethan Hall said about how the team can win. “We just want it more than them and play the best we can.”
