Boys’ tennis looks ahead to postseason

After losing to North Attleboro on May 13, the CHS boys’ tennis team was 6-8 and needed to win three out of its last four matches in order to qualify for the state tournament. 

Three weeks later, Canton did exactly that — beating Stoughton, Foxboro and Cohasset in consecutive matches, bringing Canton’s win total to nine, the magic number of victories the Bulldogs needed to qualify for the state tournament.

“The past years have been full with ups and downs, and with each one of those we learned a little more about ourselves and about the game of tennis,” head coach Leo Nelson wrote in an e-mail to the Citizen.  “We never came out and said we have excellent tennis players; what our team is composed of is … excellent athletes.”

Canton had already guaranteed itself a spot in the tournament before losing 3-2 in the regular season finale at King Philip last Monday. Second singles player Luke Shapiro gutted out a three-set victory over his opponent, losing the first set 6-4 but recovering to win the final two 6-3, 6-3. 

The first doubles team of Brian Kodzis and Matt Buckley followed suit, winning in three sets, 6-1, 2-6, 6-2. But King Philip’s second doubles team edged Canton’s Max Weiner and Kevin Wong 6-3, 4-6, 6-1, providing the decisive point in the King Philip win. 

Heading into the postseason, Nelson said Shapiro has been “on fire” at the second singles position. Kodzis and Buckley have a “tight bond” on the court, according to Nelson, and continue to rack up wins with their strong serves, cross-court attacks and superior play at the net. And Sam Biggers, at first singles, has the experience of having gone up against some of the best players in the Hockomock League. 

Nelson also credited his captains for their leadership during the season: “Sam Biggers and Brian Kodzis are multiple sport athletes that know how to compete and keep teammates focused during practices, matches, and throughout the season.” 

Canton ends the season at 9-9, having gone 6-3 in the final nine matches. 

State tournament seeding was released Wednesday. See next week’s paper for postseason tennis coverage.

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Posted by Jeffrey Pickette on Jun 3 2010. Filed under High School, Sports. Both comments and pings are currently closed.