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Boys' Tennis Battles It Out in Close Matches

The East Haven boys' tennis team opened the season with a 5-2 win over Lyman Hall and, though the Yellowjackets dropped the next three matches, Coach Kevin Breuler is pleased with the effort his players are turning in.

"The team played a little nervous in our opening match, but it was expected-I was happy with the results," said Breuler. "It was nice to start with Lyman Hall, a team that wasn't overpowering, in our first match and we were able to get the kinks out."

The Yellowjackets swept doubles action as Mike Vessicchio and Bobby Noonan topped Doug Hagen and Joey Hah 3-6, 6-0, 6-2 and Mike Luther and Andrew Schneer took a 6-4, 6-2 win over Justin Taylor and Aaron Laine in their varsity debut.

In singles, Kevin Yoo fell 6-3, 6-4 at No. 1 and Evan Moore took a 6-2, 6-3 win over Lyman Hall's Nich Madonn. Jack Brereton got a 7-6 (7-5), 6-4 win at No. 3 over Kevin Kutys and Anthony Inguaggiato pulled out a three-setter 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 over Joel Shankey. Rick Sandmann filled in at No. 5 singles and lost 6-2, 6-2 in his first varsity match.

On April 12, East Haven took on Xavier, a perennially strong team. Despite a solid battle, the Yellowjackets fell 4-3. Again the doubles teams swept with Vessicchio and Noonan beating George Gilberts and Shelrif Elderny 6-1, 6-0 and Luther and Schneer taking a 6-4, 6-3 win.

Dave DeNicola returned to the No. 5 slot to earn East Haven's third win-a 6-4, 6-1 defeat of Dom Brzowksi. At No. 3 singles, Moore pushed Tucker Landy to three sets, including winning a second-set tiebreaker, but fell short 2-6, 7-6 (7-3), 0-6. Yoo fell 6-4, 6-3 at No. 1,

Brereton lost 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2, and Inguaggiato dropped a 6-0, 6-2 decision at No. 4.

"Xavier was a stronger team last year and lost some players, but they will be one of the stronger teams we'll see," said Breuler. "We performed well. Coming in, I don't think we thought we'd have a chance at the win, but now we'll look to beat them next time around."

Another team the Yellowjackets will be looking to avenge in the next matchup is North Haven as the Indians handed East Haven a 4-3 loss on April 13 in the Yellowjackets' first Oronoque Division contest.

The doubles teams continued their winning ways with Vessicchio and Noonan taking a 6-1, 6-0 victory over Andrew Villabona and Josie Peralta and the No. 2 team of Luther and Schneer topping Cerrone Bell and Tito Gonzalez 6-3, 6-4.

DeNicola recorded another win at No. 5 singles, beating Artie Sihabout 6-3, 6-2. At No. 2, Moore pushed another match to three sets but again fell just short, losing to Own Evans 6-4, 5-7, 6-4. Yoo lost 6-0, 6-3 at No. 1, Brereton fell 6-4, 6-1 at No. 3, and Inguagiatto dropped a 7-5, 6-3 match.

"This was our toughest loss so far," said Breuler. "They knew they could beat this team and we'll look to beat them next time, but I don't' think they had the hunger inside them to win. The best match of the day was Dave at No. 5 because he moved on every single point-he played every point like he counted on his match for the win."

East Haven closed the vacation week a 7-0 loss to undefeated Hand and though the Yellowjackets were shut out, Breuler saw more positives with his team's play than he has so far in the season.

"I saw things turn around," said Breuler. "We had talked about more effort, more footwork, and going after every point and they did it so that was good to see. As a coach, you don't mind losing when you know the kids are putting the effort out there."

The doubles teams suffered their first losses of the season in close matches. Vessicchio and Noonan pushed Sam Cadwell and Walter Jongbloed to three sets but fell 3-6, 6-1, 6-3. At No. 2, Schneer and Luther fell 7-5, 7-5 to Jack McShane and Taylor Chin.

"Our doubles two team has been a pleasant surprise-this is their first four matches," said Breuler. "They work well as a team and really complement each other. As a new team, they showed a lot of skill and heart."

DeNicola pushed his match to a tiebreaker, ultimately falling 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 to Pat Monico.

"Dave lost a close one and Kevin Yoo was beat 6-1, 6-1 but worked very hard in a long match," said Breuler. "Dave [DeNicola] has impressed me with his overall effort on court. Evan [Moore] has been in a lot of three-setters and hopefully he can get over that hump and get some wins."