Four straight wins put Canton boys tennis back into Class S tournament

Members of the Canton High boys tennis watch their teammates in a match earlier this year.

CANTON, May 14 – A week ago, the Canton High boys tennis team was 3-5 after being shutout by Avon, 7-0. But the Warriors have rallied with four straight victories to earn a spot in the Class S tournament for the fifth straight year.

Canton (6-5) began the week with a 4-3 win over a Granby team that had earned a 5-2 win over the Warriors in April. Canton swept Bolton on Tuesday by scores of 5-2 and 6-1 and clinched a spot in the state tournament with a 5-2 victory over Suffield on Wednesday. 

Earlier this season, Canton slipped past Suffield by a score of 4-3. On Wednesday at Mills Pond Pool, Canton swept the singles with Eric Scott, Rich Hefler, Chris Coleman and Jon Smith each earning victories. Hefler had to go three sets to earn his victory. Brendan Barr and Hyun Kang picked up the victory in doubles. Justin Fournier and Jonan Real played tough in a three-set loss, dropping two tiebreakers.

Against Bolton, Scott, Hefler, Coleman and Smith again swept in singles in both matches. Brendan Barr/Hyun Kang won in a third set tiebreaker in the second match.

On Monday at Mills Pond, Canton changed the lineup to earn a big win over Granby. Canton head coach Dante Boffi moved No. 1 singles player Eric Scott to doubles with Jon Smith. Just as they did in April, Granby swept the first two singles spots and Canton won at third singles. But at No. 4 singles, Canton freshman Joseph Bowman beat Granby’s Fred Moffa, 6-4, 6-3.

The difference this time in doubles was Scott and Smith earning a point for Canton beating Granby’s Mike Main and James Rice at first singles, 6-2, 6-2. At third doubles, Barr and Kang beat Granby’s Owen Harter and Joseph Nichols. But it was a battle in a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 decision.

Canton 5, Suffield 2
At Canton
Singles: Eric Scott (C) dec. Aaron Smith 6-2, 6-3; Rich Hefler (C) dec. Quinn Richard 3-6, 6-3, 6-4; Chris Coleman (C) dec. Zach Yahne 7-5, 6-0; Jon Smith (C) dec. Tom Drakely 6-0, 6-0
Doubles: Alex Voisine/Luke Peterson (S) dec. Joe Bowman/Liam Connolly 6-4, 6-3; Brendan Barr/Hyun Kang (C) dec. Sammy Patel/Brent Heihency 6-3, 6-3; Lucas Baker/Peter Connolly (S) dec.  Justin Fournier/Jonan Real, 7-6, 2-6, 7-6
Record: Canton 6-5

Canton 5, Bolton 2
Canton 6, Bolton 1
At Canton
Singles: Eric Scott (C) dec. McQuillan, 8-4/8-5; Rich Hefler (C) dec. Dean 8-2/8-2; Chris Coleman (C) dec. Sansevero, 8-0/8-3; Jon Smith (C) dec. Kellogg, 8-1/8-0
Doubles: Joe Bowman/Liam Connolly (C) dec.. Kelly/Tanzi, 8-2/8-5; Ruiz/cyntar (B) dec. Justin Fournier/Jonan Real, 8-4/8-4; Welch/struck (B) dec. Brendan Barr/Hyun Kang (C), 8-6 in first match; Brendan Barr/Hyun Kang (C) dec. Welch/Struck, 9-8 (7-5) in 2nd match
Record: Canton 5-5

Canton 4, Granby 3
At Canton
Singles: Chandler Libby (G) dec. Rich Hefler, 6-0, 6-0; Peter Marzo (G) dec. Liam Connolly, 6-0, 6-1; Chris Coleman (C) dec. Jack DiPiero, 6-0, 6-1; Joseph Bowman (C) dec. Fred Moffa (G) 6-4, 6-3
Doubles: Eric Scott/Jon Smith (C) dec. Mike Main/James Rice, 6-2, 6-2; Ian Hancock/Nickolai Serbiakon (G) dec. Justin Fournier/Brendan Shepard, 6-4, 7-5; Brendan Barr/Hyun Kang (C) dec. Owen Harter/Joseph Nichols, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
Record: Canton 4-5