Expectations don’t change for Canton tennis players

Canton’s top singles player Eric Scott improved to 4-2 after a win Tuesday in Suffield.

SUFFIELD, April 29 – The Canton High boys tennis team had seven seniors graduate from last year’s team that finished 12-2 and finished fifth in Class S. When the season began, there wasn’t a single player in the same spot in the starting lineup that he was in 2013.

Still, head coach Dante Boffi is hoping this team can rise to the challenge. “We don’t let a change in our lineup change our expectations,” he said. “We knew the first half of the season would be a challenge to get the kids to understand what competitive tennis is and get the kinks out. We hope to crescendo in the second half of the season.

The Warriors won all four singles matches on a windy and cold Tuesday afternoon in Suffield to beat the Wildcats, 4-3. Canton improves to 3-3 with the victory.No. 1 seed Eric Scott beat Suffield’s Aaron Smith, 6-2, 6-4 while No. 2 Rich Hefler dropped the first set but rallied to earn a victory. Chris Coleman at third singles remained undefeated on the season with a 6-4, 6-1 victory while Jon Smith lost just two games in a two-set victory.

Suffield swept the doubles but it wasn’t enough.

“We have a lot of good hard-working guys,” Boffi said.

Canton 4, Suffield 3
At Suffield
Singles: Eric Scott (C) dec. Aaron Smith, 6-2, 6-4; Rich Hefler (C) dec. Quinn Richard, 3-6, 6-4, 6-x; Chris Coleman (C) dec. Zach Yahne, 6-4, 6-1; Jon Smith (C) dec. Tom Drakeley, 6-1, 6-1
Doubles: Alex Voisile/Luke Peterson (S) dec. Joe Bowan/Liam Connelly; Sammy Patel/Brent Heihency (S) dec. Justin Fournier/Jonan Real; Lucas Baker/Peter Connolly (S) dec. Hyon Kang/Brendan Barr
Records: Canton 3-3

Granby 5, Canton 2
At Granby
Singles: Chandler Libby (G) dec. Eric Scott, 6-1, 6-0; Peter Marzo (G) dec. Rich Hefler, 6-2, 5-7, 6-2; Chris Coleman (C) dec. Jack DiPiero, 6-2, 6-0; Fred Moffa (G) dec. Jon Smith, 6-4, 6-2
Doubles: Mike Main/Brett Yankauskas (G) dec. Joe Bowman/Liam Connelly, 6-3, 6-0; Owen Harter/Joe Meholes (G) dec. Justin Fortier/Jonan Real, 6-3, 6-3; Hyon Kang/Brendan Barr (C) dec. James Rice/Nick Serbriaham, 6-4, 1-6, 6-2

BOYS TENNIS
Win streak stopped for Avon
AVON – The three-time defending Class M state champions had a long 56 meet win streak come to an end on opening day with a 6-1 loss to Simsbury. Avon had not lost a dual meet since the 2010 campaign.

But the Falcons (6-1, 6-0 NCCC) have rebounded with their usual dominating performances in the NCCC. Avon has won six straight matches, including a pair of 7-0 victories on Monday against Bolton.

GIRLS TENNIS
Avon off to strong start
AVON – The Falcons have looked sharp through the first three weeks of the season by winning its first eight matches of the season. Avon (8-0, 8-0 NCCC) has lost just six games in eight matches so far. Hannah Dahlem, Pam Fetzer, Lily VanDeusen and Gabby Berns are Avon’s top four players singles.

The young Canton High girls tennis team beat Enfield on opening day by a 4-3 margin. Since then, Canton has lost seven straight. Windsor Locks did nip the Warriors, 4-3 and Canton was able to pick up some individual wins in a 5-2 and 6-1 loss to Coventry.

Against Windsor Locks, Lillian Grabowski prevailed in a third-set tiebreaker to earn a win at No. 1 singles for Canton (1-7, 1-7 NCCC). The other two wins came in doubles from Marta Lingenheld and Lily Hyde at No. 1 doubles and Miranda Fitz and Fort-Moria Miller at No 2 doubles.