With an outstanding regular season record of 14-0, the boys’ tennis team sees a potential conference, and even state championship.
“We’re undefeated, we’ve got a very talented team this year, and we’re one of the top teams in the state and in the FCIAC,” head coach Kris Hrisovulos ’00 said.
This year’s roster includes four freshmen who Hrisovulos sees great talent in.
According to Luke Foreman ’14, although being a freshman on a varsity team can be intimidating at times, in the end it’s well worth it.
“It’s really been great,” Foreman said. “The older kids on the team have carried us to a lot of success this year, and they have helped us all become better players. Hopefully, we can repay them by helping the seniors bring home a championship in any way we can.”
Hrisovulos acknowledged that the four young players have not only contributed to the team’s success on the court, but their presence has also greatly aided the team’s chemistry.
In addition, Hrisovulos said a big part of the team’s success this year has been the amount of attention devoted to strengthening the doubles teams.
“Down the road, the key to success is going to be the doubles matches,” Jack Reardon ’14, a second doubles player said.
The girls’ team, meanwhile, is looking to bring home their first FCIAC title since 2002, and their first state championship since 2003. The girls’ season is off to a strong start sporting a 12-2 record.
“The season has gone really well this year, the singles lineup is really strong and the doubles teams are great together,” said Katie Reiner ’12. “I really think we can win states and hopefully even FCIACS.”
Melissa Beretta ’14, the only freshman on the team, concurred with Reiner’s postseason aspirations and added that being a freshman has been “extremely exciting, especially because our team is so fun and welcoming.”
After longtime girls’ coach Casey Devita-Marinuzzi resigned last winter, assistant coach Amanda Giudice replaced her.
“The girls varsity tennis team has been great, we have had a successful season with many wins,” said Giudice. “They girls have taken on tough teams and have shown them that we were not messing around.”
“The new coaches have been great,” said Reiner. “They’re really easy to get along with and they’re really helpful on and off the court.”
The culmination of remarkable talent and determination that both teams possess is helping this season shape up to be one of the best combined years for the Staples tennis program. Ironically, in the end a state championship may not be the ultimate prize.
“Winning the FCIAC championship may actually arguably be a bigger accomplishment than winning states, because some of the top FCIAC teams aren’t in the same state class as us,” said Hrisovulos.
The girls’ team is in agreement with their counterpart’s high aspirations.
“As for the rest of the season, we will qualify for FCIACs and States,” Giudice said. “We hope to go all the way and bring a title back to staples.”