'A lot of guys are contributing': South High boys' tennis stays sharp while coming together

With second-year coach Alana Wyatt stressing, among other things, sportsmanship, hard work, and good conditioning, the South High boys' tennis team is off to another strong start this spring, beginning the season with six victories in seven matches.

"Everyone is returning from last year's squad, which was very talented, so our team has stayed strong and has continued to power through matches thanks to hard work, confidence and a great deal of sportsmanship," Wyatt said. "There is no shortage of that good attitude, a team strength last season. And last season was highly successful.

"We are using different training techniques this year and pushing ourselves physically harder than ever before," she added, "but we know that all the training we put in pays off, while the hard work and grit during practice keeps us ready for the long matches."

Wyatt, a Worcester native, is in her element wielding a racket, be it playing or teaching. She was a star hitter at Doherty several years back and was good enough to play tennis in college, at Franklin Pierce University. Fueled by a wealth of tennis knowledge and a friendly demeanor, Wyatt has grown to savor teaching and coaching tennis.

Working at South High, a longtime Inter-High rival of Doherty, only adds to the fun.

"I genuinely feel that I love what I do, and I love the boys that I have," Wyatt said. "They are an amazing group of kids who deserve to have fun and play tennis the way I did. I always wanted to coach in the city where I played as a youth, and I feel super lucky and proud to be part of a growing program with huge potential."

Wyatt looks at her squad and sees a veteran-laden contingent that benefits from good leadership. The type of role-model themed leadership that welcomes all, from freshmen to seniors. Leadership that encourages friendships and is big on support. The latter is especially important as the big matches arrive.

"My four captains, Greg Noroian, Elijah Doh, Anthony Nguyen and Mark Tran, all work well together in their leadership roles, and always help others where they can," Wyatt said. "We try to focus on keeping our team a family and also being respectful as we can of one another."

Wyatt is glad to have seasoned, veteran tennis talent on her side. Players who are eager to hit the court and get the job done. Athletes who are thinking of the future.

"Greg as a number one (singles), and a captain, has expressed that he would like to eventually play at the collegiate level. With hard work, dedication and true grit, I believe that he can do so," Wyatt added. "Eli and Anthony have greatly improved this year with wins coming in a variety of ways. Some long matches, some good, quick matches. And, most impressively, with true talent showing."

Multiple-sport athlete Noroian, a junior and winter-time hoopster, has been the team's No. 1 singles hitter the last two seasons. He is pleased with the Colonels' play thus far.

"We're playing well, we're winning our matches — we just had a tough one against Grafton (a 3-2 South victory)," Noroian said. "Playing first singles is good. I get to hit against an opponent's best player, and this will help prepare me for the next level. It can be stressful, but that's OK."

"My serve leads my game, but I definitely have to say that I try to hustle as much as possible," Noroian added. "Get to every ball that I can. I'm doing well, 5-1 after six matches, my only loss coming against Wachusett."

Nguyen, winner in five of his first six matches at third singles, has enjoying a good run. Most impressively, Nguyen, a senior, has gotten better.

"I think that I've improved this season, especially with my athleticism and skill set," said Nguyen, a year-long tennis enthusiast who has passionately swatted balls since he was five years old. "I've also improved in the area of trying to predict what will happen next. What is going to happen and how I can exploit something that will be of benefit? Will I have to move left, will I have to move right? Hit left, hit right?

"Tennis is not just an athletic game, it's also a mind game. This includes getting into the head of your opponent."

Meanwhile, Wyatt feels that good conditioning is pivotal in tennis, no matter what the level.

"With conditioning in mind, we have chosen to push ourselves harder and have noticed that three set matches are really going our way because of our stamina and physical ability," Wyatt said. "My boys will say that they run too much, but I think they run too little. Conditioning is a huge part of whether or not you win or lose a match. How we train changes daily, and I know I say it a lot as a coach, but we really do work hard."

"Coach has done a great job with our conditioning, and we're only going to get better because of it," said Doh, a senior who plays at singles. "Not only are we in good shape, thanks to coach, but we're getting match points in both singles and doubles. A lot of guys are contributing. The atmosphere is good here, we're having fun. And the second half of the season should be exciting. One match at a time."

South's doubles teams are big into the "hard work" approach and, most impressively, have shown that they are the proverbial real deal. No matter who gets the call to play doubles, the Colonels' athletes never give up, as evidenced by a recent comeback win against Grafton after trailing, 6-4.

"I play second doubles, but I'll play where-ever coach wants me to play — I don't care, tennis is my passion," said Tran, a senior. "Doubles is a lot of fun. It's all about communication and mental preparation. When you play against your opponent, you also play against yourself. If you're not mentally prepared, you won't go far. Always tell your teammates to be mentally strong. And talk to them."

Wyatt enjoys grooming her players for the next level while watching them improve.

"Sending kids to play in college has always been a dream of mine and having the opportunity this year to take kids to college matches and introduce them to the world of college tennis has been an unforgettable experience," Wyatt said. "As a coach, you want your kids to succeed."

"I feel that all the work that we have put in during preseason and throughout the regular season has set us up to be a huge threat in the Central Mass. region," Wyatt added.

Coaching changes

Aleah Oriole is the new girls' tennis coach at Burncoat High, replacing Sundra Lam. Zachary Brown is the new girls' tennis coach at Doherty High. He replaces Kayla Coonan. Keith Servant is the new boys' tennis coach at David Prouty, replacing Jim Whittemore.

—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: South High boys' tennis stays sharp while coming together