The Valley Regional boys’ tennis team wrapped up its 2016 season with a record of 9-9. By virtue of finishing at the .500 mark, the Warriors were able to reach their goal of qualifying for the State Championship for the 12th-straight year with Head Coach Bunny Logan.

“We wanted to make states and we did that and, at the start of the spring, I thought we would be about where we finished. 9-9 is what I predicted,” said Coach Logan. “Jeff [Riggio] is a fine player, but the experience drops off after that. We had some players step up throughout the season, but depth was a big problem.”

Although the Warriors didn’t have quite as many players as Coach Logan wanted, the ones who did play gave it everything they had on the court this spring. At the team’s recent postseason awards ceremony at the Pettipaug Yacht Club, sophomore Jeff Riggio took home the equivalent of Valley’s Most Valuable Player Award with the Most Wins in a Season trophy. Riggio, who finished with 10 victories, also was named to the All-Shoreline Conference Second Team for the second year in a row. Junior Ben Kilby was named the Warriors’ Most Improved Player, sophomore Kevin Baldwin won the Sportsmanship Award for the second-consecutive year based on his hustle and the spark he brought to the team, and freshman Jack Lima received Rookie of the Year honors.

“Jeff had a nice year at No. 1. Kevin does all the extra things you ask and does even more that you don’t ask of him,” Coach Logan said. “Jack really came on as a freshman and Ben works harder than anyone and never gives up on a single point, ever.”

In terms of the Warriors’ records, No. 1 singles player Riggio went 10-5 on the season, while senior captain Jason Simoneau won seven matches as the No. 2 singles player. Kilby and junior Hal Jones alternated at the No. 3 and 4 spots with Kilby going 9-8 and Jones posting six victories. At the No. 5 position, Baldwin who had a nice year with a 9-5 record.

In doubles, Valley’s No. 1 team consisted of Lima and junior Jack Liggett. Lima was 9-6 overall this spring and Liggett went 6-6. At No. 2, the duo of senior captains Sam Armenia and Alexander Tiezzi went 8-3 on the year. Junior Nate Gagnon filled in admirably in both singles and doubles, finishing with a record of 3-2.

One of the highlights of the season for Valley came during the Class S State Championship when the Warriors’ top two singles players, Riggio and Simoneau, teamed up on the doubles court. The tandem made a run to the quarterfinals before losing to the No. 3 seeded team from Old Lyme. Also in states, Liggett and Lima won their first round match before losing to the No. 13 seeded duo. In singles, Kilby won a first round match and then dropped a contest to the 12th seed in round two.

“Jeff could’ve got some wins in singles, but wanted to play with Jason, and I concurred. They were able to get to the quarterfinal, which was fun before they lost to the Old Lyme players,” Logan said.

Valley is saying good-bye to its three senior captains in Simoneau, Armenia, Tiezzi. With the bulk of its lineup coming back next year, coupled with the fact that the conference’s top two squads, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook, are losing several key players to graduation, the Warriors will have a chance to climb up the Shoreline standings in 2017. Kilby and Jones have been appointed as Valley’s captains for next season’s team, which is slated to return six seniors and three juniors.

“Jason was our most active captain. He did a respectable job and didn’t have much tennis experience. Alex and Sam had a winning season and we will miss their leadership. It will be sad to see the seniors leave, which is always the case,” Logan said. “Old Lyme is losing seven seniors and Old Saybrook is also losing players. Jeff should be even better next year. Saba [Cecunjanin], Old Saybrook’s No. 1 player, gives him trouble, but he did better in the last match they played, so maybe he can get over the hump and win Shorelines. Ben and Hal will move up to fill higher spots, Baldwin works hard, Lima came in a good player, and I have high hopes for Liggett.”

From the Sidelines

Victories for the Valley Regional boys’ tennis this season came against Cromwell (5-2), Haddam-Killingworth (7-0), Portland (7-0), Coginchaug (6-1), Cromwell (4-3), Morgan (6-1), Haddam-Killingworth (7-0), Portland (6-1), and Coginchaug (5-2).

The Warriors also took losses versus Morgan (4-3), Westbrook (4-3), East Hampton (4-3), Old Lyme (6-1), Old Saybrook (5-2), Old Saybrook (7-0), Westbrook (6-1), East Hampton (5-2), and Old Lyme (7-0).