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06/12/2017 12:00 AMFeaturing a roster that included a mix of inexperienced players and seasoned veterans, the Valley Regional boys’ tennis team put together a solid 2017 campaign that saw the Warriors win four more matches than last year, while once again qualifying for the Class S State Championship.
Head Coach Bunny Logan’s club finished the year with a record of 13-7 and saw several players win hard-fought postseason matches in both the Shoreline Conference Tournament and states. Along the way, the Warriors earned their first victory against Old Lyme since 2011 by beating the Wildcats 4-3 on April 5.
In the end, Valley’s record was a nice improvement from last year’s mark of 9-9, and Coach Logan attributed this progression to the fact that the Warriors had steady lineup of athletes who worked hard, while having fun on the court.
“We were able to field a team when a lot of others couldn’t,” said Coach Logan, who’s coached Valley for 13 seasons. “A long time ago, I went to coaching school at national coaching conventions, where they read a survey of 50,000 student-athletes who were asked why they go out for a sport, and the No. 1 answer was to have fun. No kids are being paid. No kids are there because they have to be. If it’s fun, word gets around. I try to make it fun, and they’ll come out.”
Valley’s singles lineup was led by junior No. 1 player Jeff Riggio, who finished the year with an overall record of 17-7 and was named the team’s Most Valuable Player. Riggio received All-Shoreline Conference First Team honors after reaching the semifinals of the Conference Tournament. He also won a couple of matches in states to advance to the third round. Riggio will be returning as a senior captain next season, and Coach Logan has high expectations for him.
“He was good when he came on as a freshman, and now he’s a junior. He’s laid back, very sweet, and very polite,” Logan said. “In order for him to win more next year, he just needs to hit the ball a little harder and be a little more hungry. He can reel off a shot that has tremendous speed, power, and depth. Now, he just needs to do that consistently, and he can be great.”
The Warriors will graduate senior captain Ben Kilby, who went 14-8 at No. 2 singles; senior captain Hal Jones, who was 13-8 at No. 3 singles; and senior Nate Gagnon, who posted a 9-1 record at the No. 5 singles position. Coach Logan said that all three athletes took it upon themselves to bring the team together and will be missed next season, including Jones, who received the Warriors’ Sportsmanship Award.
“He was a good leader and did a lot for the team. He helped them unite,” said Logan. “We had social gatherings for the team, and he was great at creating social outlets like pasta parties. He spearheaded those. On the court, he worked very hard.”
Logan added that nobody worked harder than Kilby, and that’s the main reason why she presented him with the team’s Coach’s Award. Kilby picked up a three-set victory in the first round of states.
“He’s one of the few kids that could lose the first set at 1-6, be down in the second set 1-5, and figure out a way to come back and win the second set,” she said. “Not only that, but also dig down deep, and find enough energy to come back and win the third set, sometimes 6-0 or 6-1. I’ve seen him do it more than once. Now that’s a guy that plays with a big heart.”
Joining Riggio in the captain’s chair next year will be Kevin Baldwin, who went 10-5 playing No. 4 singles a junior, including one victory in the 3-5 bracket at Shorelines. Baldwin was voted a captain by his teammates, and Coach Logan feels confident that he will thrive in that role.
“Kevin’s a spark plug. He’s going to be a good captain,” Logan said. “He’s fun. He’s got a great sense of humor, and he makes the team laugh all the time. He’s an easy kid to coach. He’ll do whatever I ask him, and he’ll do it with a smile.”
Coach Logan felt that Jack Liggett and Buddy Haydu would fare well at the No. 1 doubles spot since they’re such good friends, and she was right as the senior duo finished with a record of 11-4. Haydu hadn’t played competitive tennis prior to this season, but he learned a lot on fly from Liggett. At the state meet, Liggett teamed up with Gagnon, and they won their first round contest.
“Buddy Haydu had never played tennis before he picked up a racquet just before the beginning of the season,” said Logan. “Buddy learned a lot from watching Jack, and he would get up to the net and get to any ball he reach.”
The Warriors’ No. 2 doubles team consisted of juniors Matt Martinez and Jacob Decker, who went 8-5 to qualify for Shorelines. Martinez earned the Desire and Dedication Award for the Warriors.
“He never missed a practice or a game. He works hard and is serious about improving his game,” said Logan. “They are both relatively new players, and Jake Decker is tall and long. In a couple of years, those guys will be fine players.”
Sophomore Freddie Kerr was presented with Valley’s Most Improved Player Award for the recent season. Kerr and fellow sophomore Jack Lima won their opening contest at the Class S State Championship.
Looking ahead to next year, Coach Logan is hoping to see her athletes get in some time on the court during the offseason, so they can take the next step and help the Warriors continue their progression in 2018.
“Tennis, you can’t pick that up over night,” said Coach Logan. “A kid that plays in the offseason will see a lot of improvement in the next season. If you don’t do that, then it’s like starting from square one.”
From the Sidelines
Valley Regional’s wins this season came against Haddam-Killingworth (6-1 and 6-1), Old Lyme (4-3), Cromwell (4-3 and 6-1), Portland (5-0 and 6-1), Coginchaug (7-0 and 7-0), East Hampton (7-0 and 7-0), and North Branford (7-0 and 7-0).
The Warriors’ roster this season consisted of senior captains Ben Kilbya and Hal Jones; fellow seniors Jack Liggett, Buddy Haydu, and Nate Gagnon; juniors Jeff Riggio, Kevin Baldwin, Jacob Decker, and Matt Martinez; and sophomores Freddie Kerr and Jack Lima.