SHARON — The Sharon Country Club (SCC) hosted an exhibition doubles tennis match on Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024. The event was held as a charity for the Little Guild Animal Shelter and raised approximately $4,000.
The match featured players Dustin Parente and Jeff Kivitz against John Lippert and Guillermo Garcia Rincon. All four players have an extensive history with the game.
Parente is a three-time Connecticut State Champion and former Division One NCAA player at the University of Rhode Island, who currently leads the tennis program at SCC.
Kivitz is a former nationally ranked junior and All-American captain at Williams College and the eight-time defending SCC club champion.
Lippert played Division One NCAA tennis at the University of San Francisco.
Rincon has a top-25 national U16 ranking in Spain and is currently a coach and player, recently leading his team to a championship in the Greater Hartford Tennis League.
The talent on display was clear for the crowd in attendance, who frequently applauded the players’ impressive feats. The four players had a frequent banter that paved the way for a light-hearted and enjoyable match.
The closest game of the entire match occurred at the start, as team Lippert-Rincon served to team Parente-Kivitz. After a few volleys the pairs found themselves in deuce, which they would re-enter a total of six times before team Lippert-Rincon got the first win. This was in direct contrast to the game that immediately followed, in which Parente-Kivitz smashed through without their opponents scoring at all. Lippert-Rincon found their footing in game five, winning three in a row and ultimately taking the first set 6-3.
The second set opened with two decisive games from Lippert-Rincon, with Parente-Kivitz only scoring once. Parente-Kivitz won the third game, but Lippert-Rincon hit a stride starting in game four that ultimately led to their victory 6-1 in the second set, winning them the match. Throughout every game, both teams treated onlookers to plenty of intense volleys, a handful of powerful and quick serves and plenty of jovial quips on both mistakes and dexterous plays.
Tiffany Lemelin, shelter manager, brushing Marsala upon arrival.Provided
Michael DeBarba, certified dog trainer working with Marsala.Jennifer Almquist
Marsala wins a heart.Jennifer Almquist
Sadie, center, a Carolina dog, plays with her friend Negra, a terrier mix. Bella Linda, the small poodle, has since been adopted.L. Tomaino
Wesley, a young, exuberant mix, is looking for an active home.L. Tomaino
Bonnie and Clyde, an affectionate terrier pair.L. Tomaino
