MIDDLEBURY — The Middlebury Union High School boys’ tennis team continued a successful season on Monday by coasting past shorthanded Spaulding, 6-1.
The victory over the winless Tide moved the Tigers’ record to 6-3 with two matches left in the regular season, thus clinching a winning record for the team. The Tigers were set to visit BFA-St. Albans on Wednesday before wrapping up with a trip to Harwood on Saturday.
MUHS handled both the Bobwhites and Highlanders easily earlier this season, and Coach Ken Schoen hopes to move up from the Tigers’ current No. 7 position in the Division I standings when playoff pairings are released on Wednesday.
“We’re going to do well in the postseason,” said Schoen, who described the team’s three losses as competitive. “If we win our last two matches we’re going to have a good ranking, and we’re going to have our first couple matches at home.”
MIDDLEBURY UNION HIGH School junior Loke Lanneskog won his match during the Tigers’ 6-1 win over Spaulding Monday afternoon.
Independent photo/Trent Campbell
The Tigers have winning records up and down the ladder. Senior Ziven McCarty (“He’s tough to beat,” Schoen said.) and junior exchange student Mauricio Gonzalez have played at No. 1 and 2, respectively, with junior Jesse Rubin at No. 3 and sophomores Spencer Doran and Hunter Munteanu at Nos. 4 and 5 for most of the season, although freshman Aiden Cole has been pushing for a spot recently.
Freshmen Abel Anderson and Andy Giorgio started as the No. 2 doubles team, but unseated the No. 1 team of juniors Sam Daly and Drew Kiernan.
Schoen called Anderson and Giorgio collectively the team’s biggest surprise.
“They’ve gotten better faster than any kids I’ve coached yet. They’re amazing,” he said.
Barring the unforeseen, only McCarty and Gonzalez will not return among this year’s regular starters.
“It’s looking good for the future years for our team,” Schoen said.
Schoen also praised the Tigers’ attitude and work ethic.
“It’s been a great season. Guys have practiced really hard and well, and they’ve had really good team spirit,” Schoen said.
He also described the members of the team as enjoyable to be around.
“They’re fair. They’re incredibly kind and nice,” Schoen said. “Nobody’s getting upset with anybody about anything. They’re just nice kids.”
On Monday Spaulding showed up with just four players, thus forfeiting No. 5 singles and both doubles matches. Schoen deployed McCarty at No. 1, but went to his bench to allow others a chance.
The individual results were:
•  At No. 1 singles, McCarty (MUHS) defeated Chris Cambio, 6-1, 6-3.
•  At No. 2 singles, Loke Lanneskog (MUHS) defeated Gus Hahn, 6-4, 6-2.
•  At No. 3 singles, Matthias Tchantouridze defeated Tre Bonavita (MUHS), 6-2, 6-4.
•  At No. 4 singles, Aiden Cole (MUHS) defeated Silas Jackson, 6-0, 2-6, (10-4).