Sports

Stoughton High Boys' and Girls' Tennis Teams Return Home This Spring

2013 Stoughton High Spring Sports Preview: After playing all road matches the last two seasons, the SHS tennis courts have been restored and both the boys' and girls' teams will get to play some home matches this season.

After two years of playing on the road, the Stoughton High boys' and girls' tennis teams return home this spring. 

Back in 2011, SHS Athletics Director Ryan Donahue ruled out home matches for the SHS tennis teams because of the deteriorating conditions of the courts. Town Meeting approved the funding to refurbish the courts that spring. But a year later in 2012, the courts were still in the process of being redone, so not only could both teams not host matches, they couldn't even practice on the courts.

That changes in 2013.

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Gone are the cracks and unleveled playing surface at the courts, located adjacent to the High School parking lot and Adams Street. Once considered one of the worst - if not the worst - courts in the Hockomock League, Stoughton's courts are revitalized.

"The courts look great," SHS girls' tennis coach Bill Donovan said. "They've held up. It's been a snowy winter."

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The SHS boys' tennis team is the first to play at home, opening the season against Attleboro Tuesday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m. 

"It's going to be great to have people be able to sit down and watch and finally be able to see what we're doing," boys' senior captain Jalen Joseph said. 

The girls open the season on the road at Attleboro, but play their first home match Thursday, April 4 against Franklin (start time is 3:30 p.m.). 

"I guess I have to remember the procedure on what to do for a home match," Donovan joked. 

Donovan, who is entering his fifth year coaching the girls' squad, added, "It's great after a couple of years to finally get a home match. For the seniors it will be their first home match since they were freshmen and for the rest of the team it will be their first home match ever."

"To be seniors and to be able to have a senior game at home is wicked exciting," SHS girls' senior co-captain Victoria Tran added. 

On the actual court, both teams will be leaning on an experienced returning core, led by senior captains Jalen Joseph, Sheldon Oliveira and Cris Oliveira (boys) and Kiana Kountze and Tran (girls).

BOYS

Joseph is slated to play at first singles for the SHS boys', and has impressed new coach Mike Holmes, a life-long tennis player who takes over the program this season. 

There are three singles starters and two starting doubles tandems on the varsity level, for both boys and girls. 

Fellow captains Sheldon Oliveira and Chris Oliveira (no relation) are expected to man the first doubles position, Holmes said. 

Mike Holmes, a sophomore, and the son of the head coach, will play second singles. "He played his way there," coach Holmes said.

Zach Monahan is expected to play at third singles. James Comeau and freshman Adam Potter will man second doubles.

Also in the mix: Daniel Araujo, Zachary DeNapoli, Robert Gair, Max Goodman, Allon Guseynov, Chigozie Ikoro, Jon Kerman, Anton Kobrin, Jonathan Oliveira, Micah Pellegrini, Alex Petropoulos, and Garrett Sears. 

"We're looking to put in 100-percent effort, play well, improve and hopefully pick up some victories," Holmes said. 

"The bulk of our varsity players that won a lot of matches [are coming back] so hopefully we can carry those wins into this season," Joseph said. 

GIRLS

On the girls' side, the team is coming off back-to-back seasons of six wins. 

Kountze is locked in at first singles, but the other singles and doubles spots have not been set, Donovan said.  

Tran and fellow senior Marie Maillet are vying for singles sports and Gabby Medina (senior), Beth Sloane (junior), Chelsea Morganelli (junior) and Michelle Connolly (sophomore) are vying for doubles spots, Donovan said. 

Also in the mix: junior Jessica Cohen and sophomore Danielle Tarchara.

The team is rounded out by a group of 13 promising freshmen: Rachel Armany, Bruna DeAssis, Bianca DeSousa, McKenzie Finnerty, Katherine Gover, Olivia Jarasitis, Kathleen Lapommeray, Rebecca Lawson, Kethney Massenat, Alyssa McGillicuddy, Olivia Milavec, Ariana Riske and Rebecca Rohrer. 

This year's goal will be two-fold, Donovan said: trying to win some matches, and developing the younger players, who will be asked to step up, especially next season when the key senior contributors have graduated. 

SCHEDULES


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