PAWTUCKET –– The Exeter/West Greenwich boys tennis team has gone from taking tennis lessons to celebrating tennis championships.

“The program is relatively new, probably about eight years. We struggled for numbers for years, but now we spend more time practicing rather than teaching,” Exeter/West Greenwich coach John Krom said after the Scarlet Knights captured the Interscholastic League Division IV title with a 4-3 victory over Woonsocket yesterday at Slater Park.

“I’m so excited for the seniors,” Krom continued. “Last year we only won three matches. This year we had an abundance of freshmen come in and they just all jelled together.”

The Scarlet Knights, who finished third in Division IV-South during the regular season with a 9-4 record, settled the issue quickly yesterday with victories in the four singles matches.

The four Exeter/West Greenwich singles victories came in straight sets. Freshman Ryan Gouveia gave the Scarlet Knights their first point with a 6-3, 6-1 victory over Martin McGeehan at first singles.

Jim Glendinning and Reid Brackenbury, two of the Scarlet Knights’ seven seniors, followed with 6-4, 6-2 and 7-5, 6-1 victories at second and third singles respectively. Freshman Sean Farrell then clinched the title with a 6-3, 6-4 victory at fourth singles.

“Our singles really came up strong for us,” said Krom. “Woonsocket is such a tough team. My number three was down five-love in the first set and came back and won it, 7-5. Then (he) won the second set, 6-1.”

Exeter/West Greenwich had earned its berth in yesterday’s title with a 5-2 victory over West Warwick, the IV-South regular-season co-champion, in the semifinal round.

“I’m just so proud of those guys. They continued to battle,” said Krom.

Woonsocket picked up its three points by sweeping the doubles after Exeter/West Greenwich had clinched the title.

Gouveia, EWG def. McGeehan, 6-3, 6-1; Glendinning, EWG, def. Chris Vongkameko, 6-4, 6-2; Brackenbury, EWG, def. Alvin Loud, 7-5, 6-1; Farrell, EWG, def. Daniel Robillard, 6-3, 6-4; Dan Southising-John Chansyna, W, def. Jake Peterson-Matt Laperriere, 6-4, 6-1; Damien Whitfiels-Jon Leak,W, def. Isham Picillo-Kyle Farrell, 7-6 (8-6), 4-6, 10-3; Andrew Sounraj-Mike Inthisensouk, W, def. Dan Barbour-Brendan Dumican, 6-3, 6-2.

jgillool@projo.com