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05/18/2023 07:58 AM

Hand Boys’ Tennis Working Towards Title-Laden Lineup


Junior Elliott Booth serves as the No. 1 singles player for the Hand boys’ tennis team as they look towards the postseason. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source
Deacon Wilkins currently sports a 5-1 record as the No. 4 singles player for the Tigers on the tennis court this spring. Photo by Wesley Bunnell/The Source

The Hand boys’ tennis team is well on the fast track to conducting another pair of plentiful and deep postseason pushes at both the conference and state tiers. Yet the Tigers know that while it may seem they are cruising through their regular-season slate, it is still a crucial component where they are finding the right gears to put championship aspirations in motion.

For the 2022 campaign that included a sensational 17-1 regular-season record, Hand claimed its fourth-straight SCC Tournament title as the top seed for the draw following wins over Branford (7-0), Guilford (also 7-0), and then Fairfield Prep by a 5-2 count in the championship clash.

Then, as the No. 2 seed for the Class L State Tournament, the Tigers swept aside No. 15 Guilford 7-0 in the opening round, and then repeated that feat against 10th-ranked South Windsor in the quarterfinals prior to a 6-1 defeat to No. 3 Darien for the semifinal round to finish 22-2 overall.

The Tigers have come out swinging a dominant racquet once again thus far in 2023, sporting a 15-2 record through their first 17 matches, with seven of the triumphs coming via 7-0 sweeps. Last week, Hand got the brooms again in a 7-0 triumph at Guilford on May 9. Versus Cheshire at home the next day, Hand prevailed by a 6-1 count. Finally, at home for their third match of the week, the Tigers secured a 4-3 win against Notre Dame-West Haven to run their record to 15-1.

Head Coach Dawn Fagerquist explained that with the Tigers a perennial postseason powerhouse, the regular season is not really a matter of achieving qualification for conference and state draws, but more about seeing what works in each matchup to contrive the quintessential championship-caliber lineup.

“Every year, we have thoughts of how the season will be, who will play, are you playing the right kids in the right spots?,” said Fagerquist. “I try to think of this process as a puzzle. Will all the pieces fit? Do these partners work well together for the doubles teams? As for singles, it is thoughts about who is the strongest, most consistent, and who is better under the pressure? As the weeks progress, things start to fall into place.”

Within the singles’ slate, junior Elliott Booth is cemented at the top at No. 1 singles, sporting an 11-1 personal record thus far for 2023. Next up at the second selection is a rookie in freshman Andrew Seehausen (currently 9-3 on the campaign). Rounding out the solo action athletes for Hand is Marcelo Gonzalez (3-1 on the court) and Deacon Wilkins, who has played his way to a 5-1 mark.

“The singles have been moving around due to the level of the boys,” said Fagerquist. “I have the luxury to change the line up as the season goes on. So many players are similar [to the point] where I can move people around.”

Not to be outdone, the doubles duos have been creating their own dynamics between the baselines. The No. 1 tandem of junior Matt Vetter and freshman Paul Fumex are now 6-2 together. There is another junior-freshman combo at the No. 2 hole with Will Dodd and Gavin Waterman, respectively, who have surmised a record of 8-2.

Lastly, the No. 3 doubles pairing has been on in a state of constant flux amongst participants of senior Patrick McEwen, junior Gus Hodge (5-0 in their team ups this spring), plus senior captains Xander Konstintino and Trent Wiles (2-1).

“My doubles teams are going well,” said Fagerquist. “No. 3 doubles have been switching due to their abilities being so similar.”

Against Guilford, solo winners were Booth (6-1, 6-0), Seehausen (6-2, 6-3), Gonzalez (6-4, 6-3), and Wilkins (6-1, 6-0). In doubles, victories came from Vetter and Fumex (6-3, 6-2), Konstintino and Wiles (6-4, 7-5), along with McEwen and Hodge (7-5, 6-3).

While chasing down Cheshire, Booth (7-6 (7-5), 6-4), Seehausen (7-5, 6-2), and Wilkins (6-0, 7-6 (7-2) won for singles. Vetter and Fumex (6-2, 6-1), Konstintino/Wiles (6-3, 7-6 (10-8)), plus Dodd and Waterman emerged victorious in doubles.

Versus Notre Dame, Wilkins took a win in singles in three sets (6-7 (9-7), 6-1, 6-2). The Tigers went 3-for-3 on the doubles’ end with victories off the efforts of Vetter and Fumex (6-0, 6-0), Dodd and Waterman (6-2, 6-1), and finally McEwen and Wiles (2-6, 7-5, 6-1).

Fagerquist noted that as the regular season is winding down and the Tigers prepare for the postseason that begins with the SCC Tournament opening round play on Saturday, May 20, Hand is still taking note of any synergetic sparks that ignite both in and out of court competition to crystalize the ultimate lineup.

“As we near the end of the season matches, I am understanding a little more about the dynamics of my team,” said Fagerquist. “Hopefully going into the state tournament, we will be stronger and the lineups will be finalized.”

The 2023 Tigers’ roster is comprised of seniors Konstintino, McEwen, Wiles; juniors of Booth, Dodd, Hodge, Vetter; sophomores in Aden Chorney, Arda Hatiboglu, Luke Jacobsen, Deacon Wilkins; and freshmen with Gabriel Cesar, Fumex, Gonzalez, Harrison Hodge, Nathaniel Konstintino, Alfred Parkyn, Seehausen, Adam Stotz, and Waterman.

2023 Hand Boys’ Tennis Team Regular Season Results and Schedule

April 3: Hand 7, Xavier 0

April 6: Hand 7, North Haven 0

April 10: Hand 7, Hamden 0

April 13: Hand 7, Law 0

April 14: Hand 7, Sheehan 0

April 17: Hand 7, Branford 0

April 20: Hand 4, Weston 3

April 21: Hand 5, Cheshire 2

April 24: Hand 7, Guilford 0

April 25: Hand 4, Notre Dame-West Haven 3

May 1: Fairfield Prep 7, Hand 0

May 4: Hand 5, Stonington 2

May 5: Hand 5, Amity 2

May 9: Hand 7, Guilford 0

May 10: Hand 6, Cheshire 1

May 11: Hand 4, Notre Dame-West Haven 3

May 15: Amity 4, Hand 3

Tuesday, May 16: vs. Fairfield Prep at 3:45 p.m.

Wednesday, May 17: at Fitch at 4 p.m.

Saturday, May 20: SCC Tournament first round

Monday, May 22: SCC Tournament semifinal (if necessary)

Tuesday, May 23: SCC Tournament final at Amity at 10 a.m.