The Guilford boys’ tennis team is still tinkering with the finer points of crafting a championship-caliber lineup this season. One thing that’s for certain is that the Indians have a great deal of depth because, no matter who’s been stepping into that lineup, they’ve helped Guilford collect its fair share of victories during the early goings of the campaign.

Last year, Head Coach Rob Messer’s club finished with an overall record of 19-3 after reaching the SCC Tournament semifinals and then finishing tied for fifth at the Class L State Championship. This spring, the Indians have jumped out to an impressive record of 6-1 that includes victories against perennial SCC heavyweights Fairfield Prep and Amity. More recently, Guilford posted a 7-0 shutout versus Hamden in its lone contest of the week on April 16.

Coach Messer said the wins versus Prep and Amity served as a good barometer to see how Guilford can handle the pressure of competing in big matches this year.

“We knew we’d learn what kind of a team we were early on by starting our season against SCC perennials. We were tight with Fairfield Prep last year, so the guys really showed how much they grew with that win,” said Messer. “From what I was told, this year marked the first time we beat Amity in over 20 years, which is amazing. It felt good to finally get that one.”

Noah Horton and Erik Mastalerz are leading the Indians as their senior captains. Horton, who competed for the swim team in the winter, forms one half of Guilford’s No. 1 doubles tandem. Mastalerz alternates between playing No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles for Coach Messer’s squad.

“Noah is a four-year varsity player who is super successful in the classroom had success in swimming. He’s taken on the outspoken leadership role while playing with different partners in doubles. He’s taken the leadership role in stride,” Messer said. “Erik is more of a dot-the-I’s-and-cross-the-T’s type of guy with figuring out logistics for the team. He is also playing with different partners and has been very flexible. Both of them are perfect role models for the team.”

Junior Gianni Esposito and fellow junior Alex Kagan have been switching between the No. 1 and 2 singles positions. Esposito was a state finalist in last year’s Class L doubles tournament. With Esposito and Kagan occupying the top two spots, sophomore Walker Mulligan is playing No. 3 singles for Guilford.

“Gianni has done super well and does offseason tournaments. He had a good postseason run last year and is itching to get back. Alex is another workhorse, and he and Gianni push each other,” said Messer. “Walker is probably the best No. 3 player in the state. He’s an all-around great kid who has so much fun playing.”

Freshman Dominic Dadak has been competing alongside Horton in the No. 1 doubles slot. The sophomore tandem of Ethan DeAngelo and Ronan McDermott are playing No. 2 doubles for the Indians. Senior Nicholas Antony, fellow senior Ethan Corpuel, and junior Nicholas Cimino are all seeing time in the No. 3 doubles position.

“Dominic came out of nowhere. He’s been very coachable, and he’s learned a lot,” Messer said. “Ronan and Ethan are both first-year players, so they’ve been learning as they go. They’ve been in some close matches so far. For each of the guys at No. 3 doubles, they’ve been in a lot of three-set matches where they’ve lost the first set and come back to win.”

Throughout the past few years, Guilford has aspired to reach the top of the SCC and then get into the championship conversation at states. Coach Messer believes that the Indians have the skill and the character that are necessary to help them climb another rung up the ladder in their quest for the brass rings.

“Our goal has always been to make an SCC Tournament final, but we think we are in a place now where our goals are to make it to an SCC final, win that, and then finish top three in Class L,” Coach Messer said. “We feel like we belong there and, as a team, we know what we have to do in order to get there.”

From the Sidelines

This is Rob Messer’s fourth season head coach for the Guilford boys’ tennis team.

Thus far this year, the Indians have recorded victories over Hall (5-2), Fairfield Prep (5-2), Amity (4-3), Xavier (4-3), Lyman Hall (6-1), and Hamden. Guilford’s only loss was a 6-1 defeat against Hand.

For the rest of this season, Guilford has home matches against Foran, Notre Dame-West Haven, Shelton, and Hand on its schedule. The Indians will also be on the road to face Cheshire, Xavier, Fairfield Prep, North Haven, Branford, Amity, and West Haven.