By Shaun Savarese

Sun Sports Editor

ssavarese@evensun.com

The Norwich tennis doubles team of Alexander Stewart and Colin Stewart placed first in the Section IV State Qualifier in Binghamton over the weekend.

The Stewart’s beat Elmira’s doubles tram of Theo Reeley-Leclaire and William Miller in three sets to take the first round Friday. (7-6, 4-6, 6-0)

In the second round they face Ithaca’s doubles team of Kevin Huang and Michael Zhao.

“(Ithaca) was the second best team there,” said Norwich varsity tennis coach John Stewart.

Colin and Zan Stewart won the match in three sets, 7-5, 4-6, 6-3.

“We had a great third set,” John Stewart said, “ We had serves and volleys that nobody could match.”

Going into the finals, coach Stewart recalled last year’s state qualifiers and the frigid practices of April.

“We struggled to place third last year,” he said, “It makes you think of the cold spring and practicing in 35 degree weather with snow flying all around you... We went to New York once and we wanted to go back to New York.”

The state qualifiers bring the best tennis players from Class A, B, C and D together for a chance to represent Section IV at the New York State Boys High School State Championships at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, N.Y.

The top three finishers in the qualifiers move on to the State Championships.

“Going into the finals, we would have been disappointed had we not won in two sets.

We’re not the strongest tennis players out of the court but we’re the best doubles team,” Coach Stewart said.

Norwich did win in two sets, defeating Corning’s doubles team of Alex Goforth and Gautham Sezhian, 6-3, 7-6.

Colin and Zan Stewart will now travel to New York City to compete at the 2014 New York State Boys High School State Championships from Thursday, May 29 through Saturday, May 31.

“If we can win a round at states... that is huge,” John Stewart said.