Profile: Raiders Boys Tennis Captures Division III Title

After earning their second-consecutive Division III championship, Patchogue-Medford’s Raiders varsity boys tennis team is on their way to qualifying for the playoffs for the tenth-straight year.

Coach Steven Molinaro says that its the depth of the program that equals their repeat success.

“We don’t feature the best player in the county each year, but we have more tennis, top to bottom. We have depth and we just work hard,” Molinaro said.

In Monday’s Suffolk County Division III individual semi-finals, Patchogue’s depth was never more evident when teammates Steve Marzagalli and Andrew O’Connell faced each other in one semi-final, while Scott Langenbach played in another. Marzagalli defeated O’Connell 6-4, 6-7 [7-4], 3-2 as O’Connell had to default due to cramping.

Marzagalli then defeated Langenbach (who won his earlier match against Ward Melville's Cole Lafitte 6-2, 6-0) by a 6-2, 6-3 score. Marzagalli, Langenbach and O’Connell will all compete in the Suffolk County tournament, this Saturday at Smithtown East.

Throughout the season, it has been Marzagalli, O’Connell and Langenbach who have occupied the top three singles positions, with Scott Hroncich and Joe Galano handling first-doubles duties, while Martin Carlino has teamed with Brandon Wagner for second doubles.

Muhammed Iqbal has paired with either Rich Liell or Anthony Evangelista for third doubles.

Raider depth is built at an early age, Molinaro said, through a summer program he’s run for 10 years.

“I try and get every tennis kid to play at an early age,” he said. “The camp is affordable, which parents appreciate, and they like that atmosphere.”

Team play starts on May 17, with Molinaro expecting a seed ranking in the top eight.

“In 2010, we won our first-round match, and lost in the second. We want do at least that good, win the first round, and go from there,” Molinaro said.

Individual Season Records