Algonquin's Spring 2011 Season Preview

With warm weather sporadically hitting our area, now is the time to start thinking about ’s spring 2011 season. Here at Northborough Patch, we’ll take a look at potential breakout players and some of the objectives that are critical for a successful season. We’ll also come up with the answers to a few key questions: Which team will be major surprise this year? Is health going to hold up? How will the new personalities blend in? Realistically, it’s difficult to predict how each team will finish the season given that, Algonquin competes in one of the most competitive conferences in Division I. One thing is for sure though, Tomahawk fans will be talking from now until the final whistle of the season.

Baseball

Coach: Neil Burke

Key Players: Kyle McGinnity (center fielder), John Officer (middle infielder), Ryan Sullivan (catcher)

With hall of fame coach Neil Burke leading the charge for yet another season, it’s easy to see much improvement for the baseball team this season. The most promising talent - Kyle McGinnity, John Officer and Ryan Sullivan will all play significant roles and bring much needed leadership for the Tomahawks. Since settling in with the team, Algonquin’s “big three” have been consistent with their defense and continue to display a strong showing at bat. There is one hole that they have to fill, however: pitching. The Tomahawks do not have adequate pitching in their bullpen and will have to rely on a bevy of young players to come in and make an almost immediate impact. While this area needs to be addressed, coach Burke still believes his team is headed in the right direction. Algonquin will seek to avenge their district semi-finals loss against St. John’s in last year’s tournament. 

Boys Volleyball

Coach: Lisa White

As competition in the spring is growing increasingly fierce, the boys volleyball team aims to prove that they can succeed under the bright lights. The volleyball program at Algonquin is still relatively new, but each year carries on a significant meaning. Lisa White has done a stellar job of drawing more players to the program each year while re-adjusting the focus of the Tomahawks’ style of play. There are those instances, though, where the team is still searching for a true identity. Right now the Tomahawks are in the experimentation phase and unlocking a leader will be important if they want to secure a spot in the tournament this season. It goes to show you that a team has to experience some growing pains and defeat before gaining the experience needed to win a championship. We’ll find out if, and, just how far this team is willing to go.

Softball

Coach: Lisa Strom

Key Players: Abby Solis (pitcher) Taylor Henry (infielder), Dani Edmands (catcher) 

After missing the tournament last year by just a game or two, the softball team is expected to play with momentous energy and, more important, spirit. After all, it’s such a competitive division in softball that it’s going to be a challenge every day out for the Tomahawks. But we have to give credit where it is due. The softball team has hurt most foes with their pitching and defense. Looking at their roster this season, namely at Abby Solis (pitcher), Taylor Henry (infielder) Dani Edmands (catcher) - this nucleus of returning players conjure up an off-speed, deceptive defense, and better yet, they don’t fold under the pressure. While coach Strom’s strategy is fairly straightforward, the softball team will have to come prepared each day because we can almost guarantee that nothing will come easy. As such, begs the question ahead, can the Tomahawks grind it out and reach the tournament this year? Only time will tell.         

Boys Track

Coach: Andy Boschetto

Key Players: Anthony Fierimonte, Jack McDonald

The boys track team has gone in a completely different direction from previous years. The fact that their success hinges on who joins the team this spring, it kind of leaves things up in the air from here. One constant that does remain this season, however, is the cross country team and Algonquin’s distance runners. Anthony Fierimonte and Jack McDonald have set the tone early and, in turn, will provide much needed leadership to the newcomers. It’s also worth mentioning that Cam Brilliant, who, has been slowed down by an ACL injury should return to the team this season. Not only is he one of the primary options on the track team, but his grind-it-out style alters the landscape to the point where the Tomahawks now have a chance to exceed their own expectations. Let’s put it this way, change has never been a bad thing.     

Girls Track

Coach: Kristen Bakanowski

Key Players: Haley Laird (high jumper), Haven Jones (sprinter), Sarah Dahlstrom (shot putter)

The girls track players are a perfect example of what a team should really be. In fact, they are a group that tends to say more about team philosophy than the players themselves. Indeed coach Bakanowski’s philosophy has led the girls to eight Central Mass Championships, and they want to make every effort to repeat the same goal this season. Although the team has lost some key components from last year, especially with Tiffany Daly having gone to UConn, the team is so deep that they will surely pick up points elsewhere. Sarah Dahlstrom, who has enjoyed much success with the varsity basketball team this year, brings a multitude of points to the field. As a shot putter and discus-thrower, Dahlstrom sets a standard of excellence that the track team will benefit from for the entire season. So, if there’s debate about the value of girls track, we’re here to put that talk to rest. The girls track team should and will have another successful season because they can beat you in different ways. They deserve everything they’ve achieved and devoted to this sport.    

Boys Tennis

Coach: Dick Lodi

The boys tennis team recognized last season after they got knocked out by Westborough in the tournament that success doesn’t come without plenty of hard work. All areas of the game that it takes to be successful, the boys were low at: team depth, consistency with the backhand and forehand, among a few others. Of course, winning a district championship this season would be considered a lofty goal, but coach Lodi and his team are still very confident that they will be strong in league play. If the Tomahawks are going to compete all season, they must first get their lineup established and then replace any other players who graduated. But considering the history of the boys tennis team, this should be two areas that can be fixed as the season begins. 

Girls Tennis

Coach: Julie Doyle

Key Players: Meghan Cassidy, Stephanie Hom, Emily Burke

Watching the way the girls tennis team came out on the courts and performed as phenoms in 2010, it would be fair to assume they’re the odds-on favorite to win and defend the district championship. Along the way, coach Doyle has assembled a core group of players consisting of Meghan Cassidy, Stephanie Hom, and Emily Burke, among others. What separates this team from the rest is, they play with a spirit that makes you envious. During the course of their district championship run, the girls have benefited greatly from Doyle’s winning formula: trust in each other and good things will happen. We just can’t help but marvel at the way this team conducts themselves, so expect them to make another deep run in tournament play.