Rolling Rockets: Multi-sport athletes have Auburn boys' tennis team on undefeated run

The Auburn High boys' tennis team presents an intriguing collection of talent, with first and second-year players hitting along athletes who have carved their sports niche in other activities, many on the soccer gridiron. Third-year coach Nic Bartlett is happy to report that the mix has worked out nicely, as evidenced by the Rockets' 12-0 overall record heading into last weekend.

"I coached JV boys' soccer the last three years, and most of the tennis players that are seniors now, I met and recruited through soccer," Bartlett said. "They're the ones that are largely winning the matches for us. Around here, it's all about athletes. Athletes who can play tennis. And these kids have been incredible."

"When I became coach, I knew that tennis didn't have a huge following in the community," Bartlett added. "But I wanted to get kids to play. I didn't want to make it a conditioning stint. I wanted to make tennis fun for the players. Now, I think they're all having fun out there. That's my goal."

And it's not just soccer players who are getting it done on the courts. Basketball standout Logan Bostock, a mainstay at second doubles, is now the team's third singles player. Bostock, a SWCL all-star in basketball, has used his athletic ability to excel as a singles specialist. Being out there with his buddies helps, too.

"We've got great guys and we're 12-0 – it's been an amazing run," Bostock, a senior, said. "The chemistry on this team is something else. We're all relaxed, just having fun. You should see the bus rides, we're all laughing, playing cards, listening to music. It's a happy team that's ready to go, every day."

Auburn, which won just four matches in Bartlett's first year at the helm, has already exceeded last season's victory total (11). The Rockets competed in the state tournament last year after losing in a Central Mass. Tournament semifinal. Auburn won a preliminary round match before losing to eventual state champion Wayland.

Though senior captain Michael Fortunato, who hits at second singles, would like another shot at Wayland, he's just happy to be one of those athletes who decided to give tennis a try.

"I've been a soccer player my whole life, and I decided to pick up a tennis racket freshmen year but didn't get to play due to COVID," Fortunato said. "So, I really started sophomore year. Then I got Bryan (Cavanaugh) and Gavin (Cedrone) to play last year, and they picked it up quickly. They have been playing together as a doubles team. We're really just a bunch of athletes who've decided to play tennis. And tennis is different than soccer. You rely more on yourself than the team. Being able to create your own game as opposed to playing with ten other players on the field."

"We've got just one tennis player on the team, Tim Pratt, a sophomore (and No. 1 singles hitter)," Fortunato added.

Pratt, a year-round tennis participant, has battled hard against the best. He enjoys playing the sport and enthusiastically assists the receptive, less experienced, older kids with their games.

"It's actually been a bit of a tough season for me (wrist issues) but, overall, we're doing very well," Pratt said. "Our team is improving. I may not be winning all the time, but the other kids are. When I'm healthy, my strength is my forehand. I've helped all the other players develop their forehands. These players have been outstanding. With our great record, this is probably going to be my highlight year."

Meanwhile, Cedrone, a senior, enjoys playing any sport with the affable Bartlett as coach.

"The reason that I started playing (tennis) is because of the coach, Mr. Bartlett – I love him and he was great coaching soccer," Cedrone said. "He got me to understand tennis and taught me how to play doubles. Last year we (Cedrone and Cavanaugh) started out at second doubles and then we ranked up. We've been number one ever since. And Bryan and I play great together. We have a lot of fun."

"Gavin and I have played well as a team, we're 12-0, and some matches have been battles, others a little easier," Cavanaugh said. "We're always there, working hard to keep that zero in the loss column."

Cavanaugh, a senior captain, has enjoyed an interesting trek to tennis success. Freshmen year, he planned on playing tennis, but COVID put a damper on things. Cavanaugh gave spring track in his sophomore year a whirl. While working out in track, Cavanaugh saw the tennis team practicing and was intrigued. So much so that he decided that tennis might be more fun. Junior year, Cavanaugh tossed the running shoes and picked up a tennis racket.

Another doubles player, senior Shea Fanion, sees good things when he assesses Auburn boys' tennis.

"The main thing that makes our team different is our chemistry – we've all known each other since we were in, maybe, elementary school, kindergarten," Fanion said. "You can't really build a team unless you build it from the ground up. But we've built it from elementary school. We know each other well, so we can work off each other a little bit better than other teams."

Winning jump-starts enthusiasm, and Auburn's players are savoring every moment.

"I'm a first-year player and it's been an absolute blast," second doubles hitter Ralph Capaldi, a senior, said. "I came on with my partner Shea and also worked with Anthony Gervasi. The chemistry is great, the bonding is there. Winning is a big part of sports, and that's what we've been doing. We're enjoying it. It's been fun."

"We always have a ton of energy going into matches and that's a big key," doubles hitter Gervasi, a senior, added. "It's a lot of fun playing tennis with your friends, and also working with good coaches. Coach tells us we're good players. I like that."

"I started playing at Auburn when coach Bartlett came in and we've been together ever since," senior singles hitter Vincent Denolf said. "Coach has built up a great program. We've all worked well together, and we've all helped each other learn, though it was rocky at the start with COVID. I'm enjoying my time here, one match at a time."

"We've got the talent, we're working hard," senior Simon Benton, a singles player, said. "Mr. Bartlett is a great coach and he's really brought a great job bringing a bunch of new players together. Some keys for us are to just keep playing and continue to have fun."

Bartlett is assisted by Greg Pratt, Tim Pratt's father.

—Contact Craig Holt at sports@telegram.com.

This article originally appeared on Telegram & Gazette: Multi-sport athletes have Auburn boys' tennis team on undefeated run