Ellington-Somers Tennis Enjoys Best Season in Program History

The - boys’ tennis team, like the girls’ team, also enjoyed its best season in program history. 

The team finished 11-4, third place in the North Central Connecticut Conference, and by virtue of their winning record, the boys qualified all 10 starters to compete in the boys state individual tournament. 

The boys do not play a team event as part of their tournament, like the girls tournament, so they began Wednesday at Yale University.  

In singles, Job Veskijkul and Jerry Xu lost in the first round and Sachin Panchal and Andrew Parker lost in second round. In doubles, Kyle Laires and Justin Nicoletti lost in the first round, and Joe Korzeb and Joe Taft and Nick Salwa and Tyler Vanagas lost in the second round. 

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On Thursday, the team competed in the NCCC Conference Tournament and had a very good day too, finishing third in the overall tournament team standings and winning one individual championship - Veskijkul at No. 3 singles. 

Much like the girls’ team, the strength of the boys’ team was also its balance between singles and doubles. In the 15 regular season matches, each played for seven points, and the team’s overall points won/loss record was 70-35. Of the 70 points won, 37 of those points came from singles and 33 came from doubles.   

In singles, Parker at No. 2 and Vekijkul at No. 3 led the way with 11 match wins each. 

“These two players elevated their games throughout the season and provided tremendous momentum down the stretch,” coach Rich Willis said.  “The boys’ team finished out their season on an eight-match winning streak and it was no coincidence that Veskijkul finished on a personal eight-match winning streak and Parker a personal seven-match winning streak.” 

Also making major contributions in singles were Panchal at the No. 1 position and freshman Xu at the No. 4 position, each with seven match wins.

In doubles, Taft and Korzeb at the No. 3 doubles position led the way with 12 match wins followed closely by Salwa and Vanagas at the No. 1 doubles position with 11 match wins. 

“These two doubles teams were the model of consistency throughout the season, as one or both provided points in every one of the team’s 11 victories,” Willis said. 

Nicoletti and Laires contributed seven match wins from their No. 2 doubles position and freshman Kevin Sisco and sophomore Nick Greika did a fine job filling in the starting lineup as needed throughout the season. 

“Like the girls, the boys’ fine season was also a full team effort,” Willis said.