Dylan Hall’s goal entering the season was to make the playoffs. Hall’s Pembroke Academy boys tennis team reached that goal, and in impressive fashion.

The Spartans posted one of the best campaigns in school history, finishing the regular season at 10-4 to earn the seventh seed in the Class I tournament before losing in the quarterfinals to secondranked Souhegan, 7-2.

Poor weather forced the Spartans and Sabers to play inside Nashua Swim and Tennis Club on Friday, May 29. Kyle Carty was the only member of the Spartans’ ladder to earn a singles victory; PA’s No. 5 came away with an 8-6 win over Souhegan’s Nate Readington.

Early on, it appeared the doubles matches would have meaning. The majority of the scores remained tight before the Sabers pulled away to clinch the team win before singles play concluded.

Pembroke No. 6 Bill Bouchard raced to a 4-1 lead early against Nate Poulack, but was unable to hold on and fell, 9-7. Stephen Boddie posted the next closest result, falling 8-5 at No. 3.

At No. 3 doubles, Carty and Luke Underwood defeated their Souhegan counterparts, 8-4.

Four players are eligible to return for Pembroke, including two from among the team’s top six.

Bouchard and No. 4 Ricky Yeames are likely to hold spots in the ladder next season, while head coach Dylan Hall looks for contributions from inexperienced players Jeffrey Lin and Emerson Brooks in 2010.

Despite the early exit from the playoffs, Hall said he was impressed with his team’s 10-5 mark.

“We beat Bow twice, which is our main rival, and we also beat Hanover for the first time in school history,” said Hall. “For Pembroke tennis, we had a very good year, and the seniors can take a lot out of this.”

The mentor, looking to continue the program’s growth, wants his team’s effort this year to resonate with PA’s other student-athletes.

“I’m really hoping that with the success of the team we’ll be able to attract some athletes who may not necessarily be tennis players,” said Hall. “It’s the type of sport where if you have a good, athletic kid, I can show them how to play.”