This is a printer-friendly version of an article from Zip06.com.
06/15/2020 12:00 AMNorth Haven boys’ tennis Head Coach Don Hurley was eager to see the promising players who were going to step on the court for the Indians this year. After graduating several seniors from a team that made states for the sixth-straight season, Hurley felt that his program was going to be in a rebuilding mode in 2020, but that was just fine with the coach. Hurley wanted to take a look at the next generation of North Haven tennis players, in addition to seeing just how much his returning athletes had improved.
“I was looking forward to this year. It was going to be a rebuilding year, but there would have been a lot of heart and energy with the young men that we had coming out for the team,” Coach Hurley said. “I was looking forward to getting new kids with different levels of play. We’ve had kids surprise us in past years. We’ve had athletes from other sports who have become productive members of our team and allowed us to have successful seasons.”
Unfortunately, North Haven’s athletes never had the chance to play so much as a single set this spring after the coronavirus pandemic forced the cancellation of the entire season. That was devastating news for Hurley to receive, especially since he loves playing tennis just as much as he loves coaching the sport.
“I’m upset for the boys, and I’m upset for myself,” said Hurley. “It’s very difficult for the kids, because of the skill level that they needed to get to. Tennis is a sport that you can play for a lifetime, so it’s hard to see any interruption that prevents them from doing what they would normally be doing.”
North Haven was going to be led by senior captain Laekhram Singh and junior captain Tanner Powell this year. Singh saw success while playing at the No. 3 doubles position last season. Coach Hurley expected Singh to move up in the doubles lineup or potentially play some singles matches as a senior. He was also expecting Singh to do an exemplary job in the captain’s role.
“Laekhram is very well-liked by all the team members. He was always there at practice and always willing to help people,” Hurley said. “One of Laekhram’s greatest assets is his ability to take on a task. You ask him to do something, and he researches it, follows through, and makes sure that the end goal is met. He has great tenacity when it comes to solving a problem.”
Powell enjoyed a solid sophomore season as one half of the Indians’ No. 1 doubles tandem in 2019. Coach Hurley felt that Powell, a key member of North Haven’s boys’ soccer and swimming teams, had a chance to take the next step and display his trademark intensity on the singles circuit this year.
“Tanner leaves it all on the court. He goes out there to win,” Hurley said. “Tanner is attentive to his own game and is also very supportive to the other people on the team. When his matches are finished, he roots for his teammates during their matches.”
Coach Hurley was looking for a few other players to move up in North Haven’s lineup. Hurley felt that junior Chase DiCarlo, who is the kicker on the football squad, was in line to play No. 1 or 2 doubles after competing out of the No. 3 slot last spring. Hurley also thought that sophomore Ben Rudikoff was going to contend for a place in the singles rotation, following a freshman campaign in which he mostly played No. 2 doubles.
“Chase is a competitor, and I like his attitude. Whether he’s ahead or behind, Chase give us 110 percent and is always on the ball in every match,” said Hurley. “Ben is a supportive player on our team and a good competitor. Ben comes from a tennis background, and it shows. He knows what to do with the ball when it’s in his court.”
In addition to Singh, North Haven is also bidding farewell to fellow senior Griffin Symon. While Symon didn’t play any varsity contests as a junior, Coach Hurley appreciates that he was always wanted to compete in those exhibition “ghost matches” that take place at the same time.
“Griffin came to practice and was a willing participant in ghost matches,” said Hurley. “We enjoyed having him on the team.”
The other returning athletes who were going to be on this year’s team include juniors Ahmed Anwar, Justin Falasco, Josh Park, and Joe Verrillo. Coach Hurley thinks that each one of them can make their mark on varsity as seniors next season.
“I’m looking forward to them coming back and being assets to the team,” Hurley said. “They are fine young gentlemen, and they have a bright future.”
Coach Hurley said that all of his athletes have exercise sheets that feature about 20 types of calisthenics they can do in order to stay fit throughout the offseason. Of course, Hurley also wants North Haven’s players to sharpen their skills by hitting the court as often as possible in preparation for the 2021 campaign.
“I would like to see them play every opportunity that they get. Tennis is a sport for life that can keep them healthy for life, so as soon as they can get back at it, I hope that they get that blood flowing again and those muscles working again,” said Hurley. “I have been fortunate enough to coach some successful teams at North Haven. I missed seeing them, and I missed not having a season terribly.”