Blue Streaks down Dragons in boys tennis
Apr. 2—SAYBROOK TOWNSHIP — Tennis coaches and players were glad to be playing against real competition after long practices in chilly weather.
On Monday, Madison defeated Lakeside 4-1 in a boys match at Lakeside High School.
"We started in the gym hitting against the wall," Blue Streaks coach Keith Brainard.
He said it is great to be outside playing against Lakeside for the first match of the year.
"We have pretty good numbers about 16 to 18," Brainard said of the number of players on his team this season.
He said the players have been working hard, adding he has tried to mix up practice to make it interesting.
Brainard said he had a team exercise where players would play 'King of the court.'
"If they win they move up, if they lose they move down," he said.
The drill not only induces competition, but also in a tiebreaker format to get the athletes used to what may occur in regular matches.
The Blue Streaks are completing in the Chagrin Valley Conference Valley Division with Harvey, Perry, Kirtland and Wickliffe.
On Monday, Madison defeated the Dragons 4-1.
Danny Frager recorded a 6-1, 6-0 win over Matthew Surbella at first singles.
Other winners for the Blue Streaks included Gabe Telenko at third singles, Charles Gentry and Jay Delmonico first doubles and Brayen Buehner and Justin Lin second doubles.
"It was a good win for us," Brainard said. "I thought we played well across the board. We had some people playing in different positions than last season, as well as a first varsity match for my second doubles playing."
Although pleased with the win, Brainard said there's more work to be done.
"The boys have been focused and excited to learn," he said. "We have come a long way in the past month and a half."
Lakeside's roster will have new players this season.
The Dragons are in the CVC Lake Division with Edgewood, Jefferson and Geneva.
Lakeside coach Spencer Selman said two players transferred, but there's been a lot of interest in the program this year.
The Dragons played at Walsh Jesuit on March 22, the first day competition was allowed.
"A lot of the [Walsh] guys play year round and we aren't at that point in our program yet," Selman said. "Our numbers are really up. It is growing each year."
Selman, a former player at Lakeside, is in his second year of coaching his alma mater.
"I had a lot of kids come out and give it a try their junior or seniors years," he said.
Sergio Lozano earned the Dragons' lone win against the Blue Streaks, capturing a 6-0, 6-1 victory at second singles.
Selman said he has a full junior varsity squad that will be helpful when seven of eight seniors move on next year.
Selman said Sean Gosselin played a lot of pickleball last summer, but is now on the Draongs' second-doubles team.
