There is no indecision going on for Fenwick head tennis coach Gerard Sullivan when it comes to singles play this season.
Sullivan has two solid singles players in Hinsdale Central-transfer Aymsley Upp and returning state qualifier Rachel Canfora. Upp, who sat out of competitive high school tennis last season as an ineligible transfer, started off this season with a 3-1 record at No. 1 singles. Canfora began the season last week with a 3-2 record at No. 2.
“This year we look stronger in singles, and just as strong in doubles as last year,” said Sullivan. “That should give us the edge over a few of the closer teams in conference and keep us close to Benet and Carmel, the top two finishing teams last year. Our results so far are bearing this out.”
Returners Allison Seyfarth and Colleen Bingle have moved up from No. 3 doubles last season to the No. 1 spot. Kathleen Kelly and Julie Comfort, two other returners, are currently playing No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 doubles group is made up of sophomore Christina Janda and freshman Maggie Saltiel.
Along with returning seniors Julia Feldman, Alyssa Bazzanella and Laura Kaiser, others likely to see significant court time on varsity this season include juniors Mia Mastrangeli, Gabbi Dougherty, Haley Hudson and Ceci DiTommaso. The Friars will also receive help from sophomore Audrey Kiefer, who won conference at singles for the junior varsity team last year.
The Friars are off to a favorable start in improving on last season’s fourth place finish in the East Suburban Catholic Conference. As of last week, the team had defeated conference foes St. Joseph, Bishop McNamara and Marist by large margins. Fenwick also downed St. Ignatius 7-1, with three of four wins coming off three sets.
“This is a very athletic team, with most of the players also playing varsity soccer, basketball or lacrosse,” said Sullivan. “They are also proving to be tough competitors and should gain from our fairly challenging schedule.”
The Friars host St. Viator on Thursday (4:30 p.m.) and travel to the Hinsdale Central Invitational on Saturday.
