Hand Boys’ Tennis Locked in on Another Championship Run
Last spring, the Hand boys’ tennis team put together a perfect season that culminated with a pair of championships. With their trademark fire and focus still on display, the Tigers are vying to defend both of those titles in the 2019 campaign. Hand has stormed out to an outstanding start with its record of 8-0.
Hand is coming off a 2018 campaign that saw Head Coach Dawn Fagerquist’s squad notch a mark of 17-0 during the regular season, including 14 victories via a 7-0 sweep. In the SCC Tournament, the Tigers blanked Amity by a 7-0 score in the final to clinch their fourth conference crown and put a bow on a 20-0 record. Hand went on to finish in first place at Class L State Championship, earning the fifth state title in program history and its first since 2014.
Thus far this year, the Tigers have recorded shutouts in five of their eight victories and won the three other matches by 6-1 scores. Last week, Hand earned a 7-0 sweep over Foran on April 16, defeated East Haven by that same score the next day, and then claimed a 4-0 win against Lyman Hall in a match that was shortened by weather on April 18.
Coach Fagerquist said that Hand’s great play stems from the diligence the Tigers are showing on the court on an everyday basis.
“The boys really have their eyes on the prize this year. Many of the boys enjoyed that feeling of winning the titles last year, and so they want to do it again and get that feeling back,” said Fagerquist. “They are working hard in practice. They aren’t looking too far ahead and are taking it one match and day at a time.”
Noah Gulla and Nicholas Chieppo are leading the Tigers as their senior captains this spring. Gulla is slotted in the No. 2 singles position, while Chieppo forms one half of Hand’s No. 2 doubles tandem.
“Noah has really stepped up to the plate for us. He is playing smart and has matured a lot,” Coach Fagerquist said. “Nicholas is also a great leader who has stepped up and matured.”
Sophomore Joshua Israel is competing in the No. 1 singles spot for Hand. Following Gulla at No. 2, freshman Sebastian Lowy is playing No. 3 singles with sophomore David Levchenko at the No. 4 singles position.
“Joshua has been unbelievably tough, and he has pulled out some big matches so far,” said Fagerquist. “Noah had a great win for us already this year versus Fairfield Prep in three sets. Sebastian has been a huge asset, and David has been strong, as well.”
On the doubles side of the court, junior Darby Rogers and sophomore Reilly Vejar are teaming up as the Tigers’ No. 1 duo this year. Joining Chieppo at No. 2 doubles is freshman William deChabert. Hand’s No. 3 doubles team features junior James Watkins and sophomore John Van Ostenbridge.
“Darby and Reilly are undefeated so far this year with some big wins,” Fagerquist said. “Nicholas and William have been huge assets at No. 2 doubles, and John has been a great leader working with James. Our top 10 is strong and working hard.”
In last week’s win against Lyman Hall, Hand received wins from Israel (8-0), Gulla (8-0), and Lowy (8-0) in singles play, along with an 8-1 victory from the team of Vejar and deChabert.
Hand has already defeated some of the top teams in the SCC during its hot start to the season. With rematches versus those clubs on the horizon, the Tigers know they have to be ready for every opponent in order to continue their winning ways and add to their stockpile of titles.
“All of the boys are looking to win SCCs and states after last year’s run. They are staying settled and level-headed,” Coach Fagerquist said. “Playing Guilford, Fairfield Prep, and Amity the second time around will be tough, but we just have to stay focused and work hard. Anyone can beat you on any given day, so we can’t take any team too lightly.”
From the Sidelines
This is Dawn Fagerquist’s 10th season as head coach of the Hand boys’ tennis team
Thus far this season, the Tigers have posted victories against Guilford (6-1), South Windsor (7-0), Xavier (6-1), Fairfield Prep (6-1), Hamden (7-0), Foran (7-0), East Haven (7-0), and Lyman Hall (4-0).
For the rest of this year, Hand has home matches against Cheshire, North Haven, Branford, Fairfield Prep, Amity, and Shelton on its schedule. The Tigers will also be on the road to face Amity, West Haven, Notre Dame-West Haven, Xavier, and Guilford.