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04/28/2017 12:00 AMThe Branford boys’ tennis team has qualified for the Class M State Championship in each of the last two seasons, including a second-place showing last spring, and so the Hornets are definitely courting another appearance this year. While Branford is only 3-5 thus far, the good news is that the team has already put some of its toughest matches in the rearview mirror, features an experienced singles lineup, and also has some promising doubles players. Consequently, Head Coach Matt Fraenza feels confident that his squad get six more wins in its last 10 matches to solidify a spot in states.
“We’ve set a culture the last three years where that’s a main focus and a main goal of the team, and my job as coach is to prepare us the best we can to reach that goal and keep that culture going,” Coach Fraenza said. “The guys enjoy not just going to states, but the camaraderie of being at states and supporting each other. It’s more than just making second in our class. It’s a team-building day for them to get something out of it other than the usual matches. They enjoy it. Their eyes open wide. And so part of hoping we get there is not just to win a tournament, but because we belong in an environment that everyone likes to be in.”
Last week, Branford took defeats against a couple of SCC heavyweights before closing things out with a victory. The Hornets lost a 6-1 home match versus Hand on April 24, dropped a 6-1 contest at Amity two days later, and then posted 7-0 home win over Wilbur Cross at home on April 27. Everyone prevailed in straight sets against Cross, including No. 1 singles player Praneeth Ganedi, who moved up to the top spot following the graduation of last year’s Class M finalist Matt Sachs. Ganedi improved his record to 4-4 after recording a 6-3, 6-0 victory versus Cross.
“Praneeth handles himself with great sportsmanship on the court and never loses his cool. He wears down opponents a little different than Matt. He’s able to stay out there for two- and three-hour matches, and the way you beat him is by outlasting him, but his legs, energy, and effort keep him out there a long time,” said Fraenza, who’s assisted by Averi Schwartz. “Praneeth’s big strength since last year is that he’s improved his placement and control, and that’s helped him finish off points as we try to save his legs for a full season. It’s a challenge to play the best player on each team, and he’s rose up to the challenge by his effort, fitness, and consistency.”
Replacing Ganedi at No. 2 singles is junior Bradley Stutzman, who got the bump up from the No. 3 spot he played last season. Stutzman prevailed 6-0, 6-0 in the Cross victory and owns a mark of 5-3 for the year.
“Bradley has always accepted a challenge. He basically lives for playing tennis. It’s his sport. He plays in the other seasons, and he enjoys teaching tennis and coaching tennis as a part-time job. He really lives and breathes the sport and shows great passion in practice to stay after, work hard on his game, and put in the extra hours to fix any problems we see on the court,” Fraenza said. “Bradley is another good role model, and it’s been an easy transition. He got experience against quality opponents last year at 3 and got the opportunity to move up to 2.”
In continuing with the trend of everyone moving up a spot in the singles lineup, senior captain Aedan Spaar is manning the No. 3 position after mostly playing No. 4 last year. Spaar had a great stretch last week as he claimed victory in all three of his matches. Spaar won a 6-2, 6-2 decision versus Hand, rallied for a 0-6, 6-4, 13-11 marathon victory against Amity, and then won 6-0, 6-0 versus Cross. Spaar has a record of 6-2.
“Aedan is winning close matches this year that he might have lost last year. He’s beating people from the top teams in the conference and sets a really good example to the rest of the team to not give up when you’re down,” Coach Fraenza said. “He was able regroup against Amity. He found his net game, moved to the net well, and hit his overhand and volleys with confidence. His power really came out with his serve, overhand, and net play, and that was the difference in the match. He controlled play at the net, the other player sat back, and Aedan took charge in the second set.”
Newcomer Darsh Patel, a senior transfer from New Jersey, is 5-3 in the No. 4 singles slot and picked up a 6-0, 6-0 win against Cross. Fraenza said that Patel’s defining moment thus far came when he posted the tiebreaking victory with the match on the line in Branford’s 4-3 win versus North Haven on April 19.
“That was a big confidence booster for him and the team,” said Fraenza. “Darsh fits in perfectly with our team mindset. He’s relaxed, performs well under pressure, and gets along well with the rest of the guys. He’s a positive influence and an overall great kid and student of the game. It’s too bad that this is his senior year because it would have been great to have him on the team for another few years, but I appreciate that we have him in Branford now, and he adds a dynamic to our singles lineup.”
Moving to the doubles court, the Hornets lost last year’s Class M champions, Miles Conlin and Dan O’Neill, to graduation, and so the No. 1 spot is being held down by junior Will Benni and freshman Eli Hanlon. The new pairing earned their third win of the year by defeating their Cross opponents 6-0, 6-0 last week.
Branford’s No. 2 duo of juniors Chris DeLise and Charles Hall claimed a 6-0, 6-1 win over Cross and have two wins on the season.
At No. 3 doubles, senior captain Justin Veilleux and sophomore Paul Riccio posted a 6-0, 6-0 win versus Cross and also own a pair of victories this year.
“We have new players in the doubles lineup. We lost our 1 doubles for four years in a row, so there have been some gaps to fill, however, the guys are gaining confidence with wins under their belt and have improved,” Fraenza said. “They’re willing to learn from the singles players on the team, and that will serve them well toward the end of the season.”
Although Branford’s doubles players don’t have quite as much experience as their singles colleagues, one common characteristic among the two groups is an exemplary attitude that Franeza knows can only help the Hornets’ cause to once again reach the state meet.
“This is the most coachable team I’ve had in four years, and that all stems from their attitude in practices, matches, and the offseason. This is definitely a group that wants to learn, wants to be better, and isn’t set in any type of ways. They’re open to strategies and learning and have a huge upcurve of potential compared to the other years,” said Fraenza. “I feel good about the way things are going. We’re starting to reach some of our potential. If we our doubles teams get some more consistency in their play, we will definitely be able to make states and close out some close matches. Things are going well.”