When we last checked in on Cumberland girls tennis, one more match would have changed the afternoon.
On Saturday, the Clippers had that fourth win.
Cumberland edged the Providence Country Day/St. Raphael co-op 4–3 on October 17, coming away with a narrow team victory at the East Providence courts during PCD’s Chowder Day festivities. After landing on the other side of that same margin against Ponaganset on October 5, the Clippers gave themselves a better ending to another close contest.
The latest stretch also included a trip to Portsmouth on Wednesday, October 14, when the Patriots defeated Cumberland 5–2. The Clippers collected two match wins, but Portsmouth secured the five that carried the afternoon. Three days later, Cumberland put four in its own column against PCD/St. Raphael.
That difference matters. In a seven-match team contest, every singles and doubles victory contributes to the same goal. A 4–3 finish leaves no spare win in the total. Each one is necessary, and each deserves its share of the credit.
For Cumberland, Saturday provides a result to build on as the regular season reaches its final days. The next opportunity is close to home: Lincoln High is scheduled to visit Cumberland on Monday, October 19, at 4:45 p.m. at the high school’s Tucker Field complex.
The postseason calendar is approaching quickly. The RIIL lists October 20 as the regular-season deadline, with team quarterfinals scheduled for October 22–24. Division II’s top eight eligible teams qualify through the league’s RPI standings, making confirmed final positioning the next piece of the picture.
For now, the Clippers have a close win to take into the Lincoln matchup. Our previous story ended with Cumberland looking for that fourth match.
Saturday, they found it.
Results and schedule: RIIL, Providence Country Day and The Providence Journal. Postseason format: RIIL girls tennis handbook. Schedule subject to change.