Here's how Narragansett boys tennis clipped Prout in a title rematch

NARRAGANSETT — Ethan Smith took the title rematch into his own hands.

The Narragansett boys tennis No. 1 singles flipped his match against Prout and gave the Mariners a boost ahead of the playoffs. Smith lost his game against the Crusaders, in the first replay of the 2025 championship earlier this year but the senior took the third set on Tuesday to help push Narragansett to a 4-3 victory.

Smith’s 6-1, 2-6, 7-5 victory held off Prout as Narragansett rallied from a 3-1 deficit in the match. The Mariners followed with victories at No. 1 and No. 3 doubles as the third tandem of William Hunter and Xander Smith-Neves sealed the victory.

“It’s super competitive every time we play them,” Hunter said. “Of course they’re a very talented team and it’s always a different ladder, too. We’re always moving around our players and it seems like they have a new ladder every time.”

Prout took the first meeting, 4-3, on April 6 as the Crusaders won the first three singles matches. Prout was on its way to repeating with a similar formula at a windswept Sprague Park before Smith battled through the third frame. The three-hour match was expected between these two teams as it was the fourth game in a row that finished 4-3.

Narragansett won last year’s Division II title, just its third overall for the program, as Alex Greenberg captured No. 3 singles.

“Last match, I went down a couple of times and I kind of got lost in my head,” Smith said. “I think this time I just stuck with it. The third set, I went down, 0-3, but I’ve been there before. I know I can do that and I have a ton of support from my team. I think that’s the biggest thing.”

Narragansett's Ethan Smith volleys during his match on Tuesday.

The Mariners might have the doubles matches locked if these two teams meet again this season. Narragansett won two doubles matches in the first game and swept them on Tuesday. It wouldn’t be shocking if a playoff rematch comes down to a third set of a singles match to crown a winner.

“We have to prove ourselves again and do it again,” Hunter said. “Honestly, in all sports, we’ve been going against Prout. They’re our neighbors, so it just feels right. We know a lot of the kids, too. We’re friends — it’s a little friendly rivalry.”