The boys varsity tennis team has had a successful season this spring with a 6-7 record, and good performances in the Kingswood Oxford Invitational Tennis Tournament as well as the Southern New England Tennis League (where the team placed third).
The team is made up of talented, hard-working players with good attitudes. However, the team’s greatest strength is the top players on the ladder, who are extremely experienced, talented competitors. Senior Captain Max-William Kanz, who remains undefeated for this season, has helped the team immensely. In addition, he and senior Teddy Keegan make a strong doubles team as evidenced when they won the #1 doubles draw in the SNETL.
In practice, the team focused on forehands, backhands, and just the basic skills of tennis as well as keeping the ball in play, working on reducing unforced errors, and playing a smarter game. The hard work they spent practicing these skills was especially evident during their match against the Frederick Gunn School, where they had an incredible 6-0 win. The team also had a strong 5-2 win against the Wooster School, which gave them even more confidence.
However, the team faced a couple of tough losses in a row to Westminster and Avon Old Farms. “For the Avon Old Farms match, I felt as though it was a match we could have won and had more control of the outcome, whereas the Westminster game was not as close,” Head Coach Andy Krugman said. “They just did what they needed to do to win.”
Additionally, having predominantly young team members can be hard. “The reality is, the majority of their opponents are really sophomores, juniors, and seniors and they’ve done very well to handle that responsibility, and I’m really impressed,” Coach Krugman said, “but playing against them is asking a lot.” Kanz agreed. “We have a pretty young team, so we just need to gain some more experience,” he said. “Although, we are doing well and everyone is putting in their best effort.” Along with having a young team, the team has experienced some injuries this season in addition to some sickness, which was challenging.
The team’s objectives for the season were to play better tennis at the end of the year compared to when they started and improve both individually and as a team along with competing hard and making the other teams really have to work to earn the win. “The team has been meeting these objectives, and we are also trying to win most of our matches which we have mostly done,” Kanz said.
While winning is very important to the team, that’s not all. “Playing with sportsmanship is also something I really value,” Coach Krugman said, “along with giving your best effort and just not giving up.” Kanz had his own particular goals. “I want to lead the team and set a good example for them on and off the court,” he said.
As for next year, the team will lose important seniors, Seve Concepcion, Max-Willia, Kanz, Teddy Keegan and Sean Gilland, which will be tough losses. The other players will have to step up and move up on the ladder, which will be an adjustment for everyone. The team has their final game of the season against Salisbury School on May 18th, which they dominated, winning 6-0. Congratulations on a great season boys varsity season and best of luck to the seniors.
