Boys’ Tennis: Getting Stronger Every Year

The Branford boys’ tennis team has been on a steady climb over the past four years: from eight wins in 2015, to 10 in 2016 , and 11 last year. This year the Hornets, under coach Matt Fraenza have won 12 matches including six of the last seven.

“It’s nice seeing our program get better each year,” Fraenza said. ​“The boys are committed to playing hard, and it’s been showing more and more in the results. We have been playing pretty well this year.”

The Hornets’ losses this year have been to the cream of the crop in the SCC, Guilford, Daniel Hand, Fairfield Prep, Amity, and Xavier twice, including the most recent match that the Eagle covered. In fact, Hand defeated Amity on Thursday 7 – 0 to win the 2018 SCC championship.

In the match with Xavier on May 14, the Hornets only won two games falling 2 – 5 to the Falcons. Junior Praneeth Ganedi won his singles match 6 – 0, 6 – 0 playing at no. 2 against Alex Boniato. In the doubles matches. Branford’s Kurt Schalper and Dan McGuire defeated Kevin Smatko and Zach Ciampi in a close match, 6 – 4, 7 – 5.

In the other singles, matches Xavier’s no. 1 player Khi Ton defeated senior captain Brad Stutzman 6 – 0,6 – 0, his brother Heiu Ton defeated Chris Delise 6 – 0, 6 – 1 and Eddie Basauri defeated Branford junior Paul Riccio 6 – 0,6 – 0.

In the closest match of the day, Branford’s Charles Hall and Eli Hanlon were edged out in their doubles match by Xavier’s Nick Ericson and Jackson Sokoloswki, 6 – 2, 5 – 7, 6 – 4,while the Hornets’ Will Benni and Shane Dostie were defeated 6 – 2, 6 – 4 in their doubles match.

“Xavier has a fine team with some outstanding tennis players,” said Fraenza . ​“They have an excellent record (14 – 4) and should go a long way in the states,” the Hornets’ coach said. ​“I’m glad we don’t have to play them again this year. The tournament starts next week and both Xavier and Branford will be playing in it.

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