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05/15/2022 12:00 AMThe Hand boys’ tennis team improved its record to 15-1 for the spring season after winning all five of its matches last week. The Tigers claimed victories against Guilford, Amity, Fairfield Prep, Branford, and Notre Dame-West Haven to make for a perfect week on the courts and have now won 10 matches in a row.
Head Coach Dawn Fagerquist feels proud of her team for putting together another great campaign. Hand has two matches left in their regular season, after which the Tigers will compete in SCC Tournament with their sights set on claiming their fourth-straight conference title.
“We are such a different team this year. Due to COVID and losing a year, these boys really came to play. They are more focused, more determined, and more resilient,” Coach Fagerquist said. “My eight seniors have stepped up to the plate. They brought experience, maturity, and leadership.”
The Tigers started off the week by earning a 7-0 home win versus Guilford on May 9. Senior captain Sebastien Lowy claimed a 6-1, 6-1 victory at No. 1 singles for Hand. Sophomore Elliott Booth posted a 6-1, 6-0 win at No. 2 singles; senior Max Gulla won a 7-6 (7-5), 6-1 decision at No. 3 singles; and junior Zander Konstantino won his No. 4 singles contest by a 6-4, 4-6, 10-4 score.
Hand’s No. 1 doubles team of senior captain Will de Chabert and senior Will Fumex netted a 6-1, 6-0 win. The No. 2 duo of seniors Robbie Washburne and Patrick Hennessey recorded a 6-1, 6-2 win; and the No. 3 tandem of senior Ethan Speerli and sophomore Will Dodd triumphed by a 6-3, 6-0 final.
Lowy and de Chabert are serving as Hand’s senior captains this season. The other seniors on the team are Gulla, Fumex, Washburne, Hennessey, Speerli, and Matthew Waterman.
“Sebastien and Will have shown great leadership among the team, especially with the underclassmen,” said Fagerquist. “Everyone has worked really hard this season, and all the wins we had this week showed that.”
The day after the Guilford victory, the Tigers hosted Amity and defeated the Spartans by a 5-2 final. Lowy (6-2, 7-5), Booth (6-1, 6-1), and Gulla (6-0, 6-1) were victorious at the top three singles spots. Hand’s doubles duo of de Chabert/Fumex (6-1, 6-1) and Washburne/Hennessey (6-0, 6-2) also prevailed in straight sets.
Hand went on to notch a 5-2 victory against Fairfield Prep in a road match at Fairfield University on May 11. Lowy (6-1, 6-2), Booth (6-0, 7-5), and Gulla (6-2, 6-1) won their singles matches for Hand. The Tigers’ doubles tandems of de Chabert/Fumex (4-6, 6-4, 6-4) and Washburne/Hennessey (7-6, [7-5], 7-5) were also triumphant.
The Tigers then claimed a 6-1 road victory over Branford the following day. Lowy (6-1, 6-0), Booth (6-3, 6-4), and Gulla (6-2, 6-0) were all straights-sets winners in the contest. Hand’s doubles teams of de Chabert/Fumex (6-0, 6-0), Washburne/Hennessey (6-0, 6-1), and Speerli/Dodd (6-0, 6-0) also came out on top to help the Tigers defeat the Hornets.
“We had a lot of strong victories in this matchup against Branford,” Coach Fagerquist said. “It was good to see some of our top players come away with straight-set victories, and we are very much looking forward to postseason play.”
Hand wrapped up its week by posting a 6-1 win over Notre Dame-West Haven in a home match on May 13. Booth (6-1, 6-4) and Gulla (6-0, 6-1) won their singles matches. The doubles teams of de Chabert/Fumex (6-2, 6-1), Washburne/Hennessey (6-0, 6-2), and Speerli/Dodd (6-0, 6-1) were also straight-sets victors for Coach Fagerquist’s squad.
Fagerquist is having a great time coaching the Tigers this year. Hand enters the playoffs with major aspirations as always, but Fagerquist feels that the 2022 season has already proved a resounding success no matter what happens going forward.
“I’m just glad that we get to play. I’ve enjoyed watching these guys grow into good players and young adults,” said Fagerquist. “Whatever happens this season, I will be forever grateful for this team and the friendships that were made.”