The Cranston East tennis team’s big season came to a close last week when North Smithfield handed it a 4-0 loss in the Division III championship at Slater Park in Pawtucket.

The Bolts and Northmen were on a collision course all spring and met once again on the biggest stage. North Smithfield dealt the Bolts their lone loss of the regular season and got another win in the title matchup.

It was the first time in more than a decade that East reached the finals, and although the loss was a tough pill to swallow, the Bolts were pleased with their efforts.

“It was a good year. The kids worked extremely hard. It’s frustrating thinking about the end results, but it was the first time that East has reached the finals since 2009, so hopefully we can build off that,” said coach Drew Hochman.

The team will be graduating three seniors, most notably top singles player Eston Fowler, who is a team captain and four-year player. Fowler spent his freshman season at doubles, but was elevated to the top singles spot as a sophomore and wound up playing there for three straight seasons.

“Losing him will be tough, not just with him being the No. 1 player, but the kids look up to him, he’s our captain. He had to grow really quick. He was the one putting in the work, taking lessons. He became a guiding force in our program,” said Hochman of Fowler’s rise to being one of the state’s top players.

Expected to take his spot is sophomore Eri Ogunde, who had a breakout campaign in the No. 2 spot.

Whether it is Ogunde or the other rising players, Hochman is confident that the group will be able to remain in the mix come 2025.

“Anytime you lose a No. 1, it’s a huge hit. It’s the top player on the team and you don’t always have someone to follow in their footsteps,” Hochman said. “Luckily for me, Eri has been breathing, sleeping tennis. It’s going to leave a huge void, but we have kids that are ready to step up.”