It will be a season of learning and gaining varsity experience for one team. The other seems primed and ready for a playoff run.
Coventry High School's boys tennis team (0-2) took on the Wizards (0-1) from West Warwick on Monday morning at Kent County YMCA. Due to several students being on vacation, the Oakers had to forfeit two of the doubles matches. There were four singles matches and one doubles and the Wizards won four out of the five played. The Wizards claimed six out of the seven possible wins of the day.
Oakers sophomore Richard Sharkey defeated Sam Blais in straight sets (7-5, 6-2) in their only victory of the day. Coventry's team is young and has no seniors. Most of the kids do not have varsity playing experience, so it should be a rebuilding year.
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The Wizards RJ Leso and Josiah Schaffer both won their singles matches in straight sets. However, junior Brian Chan was pushed to the limit by Oakers sophomore Matt Haley. After losing the first set 6-0, Haley rallied to take the second set 6-2 but despite his valiant effort, Chan won the final set 6-0.
In the only doubles match of the day, West Warwick junior Gerald Jean and senior Bridget Sullivan won in straight sets and did not lose a point.
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West Warwick coach, Stephanie Gonsalves, is preparing for a playoff run. "I think we definitely can make the playoffs," she said. "I told RJ to focus more on placing your shots," she added. Leso trailed in the first set of his match 5-2, before winning five straight points.
Tiffany Risch, Oakers coach, talked about the inexperience of her team. "Eight of my ten are new players," she said.
"Rich has been consistent the last two matches and been playing well," the coach added.
