Senior-laden Bishop Canevin boys tennis team has high goals
With seven of his top nine players seniors, Ed Burgess worries next season might be a rebuilding year. The boys tennis coach at Bishop Canevin has no such worries about the present.
The Crusaders went undefeated through the Section 5-AA regular season last year and are the favorites to contend for the section title once again. They are 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the section.
"We have some depth, but I am not sure if we are better than last year," Burgess said. "I think we are, but it is hard to say at this point."
Four-year starter Ryan Mastilak plays first singles and is expected to contend for the section singles title at the Section 5-AA singles tournament next week. Senior Marc Slomiany has started the past two seasons and plays second singles. Seniors Kevin Mechas (third singles) and Matt Walsh and Zach Rose (who fill in at doubles) also compete for the Bishop Canevin track team. Senior Casey McCaffrey is in his first season playing tennis -- but he's been a usual starter at second doubles. Senior three-year starter Nick Merlina has been playing first doubles. Sophomore Kelly Burgess is in two-year starter at third single, and junior Mike Manko (second doubles) is in his first year as a starter.
"As I say every year, we want to improve from the first day to the last, and we would like to make it another step further than last year, which was one win in the playoffs," Burgess said. "We have scheduled a number of non-section matches this year in an effort to improve our seeding should we be fortunate enough to qualify for the team playoffs."
The Crusaders went undefeated through the Section 5-AA regular season last year and are the favorites to contend for the section title once again. They are 7-0 overall and 5-0 in the section.
"We have some depth, but I am not sure if we are better than last year," Burgess said. "I think we are, but it is hard to say at this point."
Four-year starter Ryan Mastilak plays first singles and is expected to contend for the section singles title at the Section 5-AA singles tournament next week. Senior Marc Slomiany has started the past two seasons and plays second singles. Seniors Kevin Mechas (third singles) and Matt Walsh and Zach Rose (who fill in at doubles) also compete for the Bishop Canevin track team. Senior Casey McCaffrey is in his first season playing tennis -- but he's been a usual starter at second doubles. Senior three-year starter Nick Merlina has been playing first doubles. Sophomore Kelly Burgess is in two-year starter at third single, and junior Mike Manko (second doubles) is in his first year as a starter.
"As I say every year, we want to improve from the first day to the last, and we would like to make it another step further than last year, which was one win in the playoffs," Burgess said. "We have scheduled a number of non-section matches this year in an effort to improve our seeding should we be fortunate enough to qualify for the team playoffs."
tennis