WEST HARTFORD — The last four years, the Avon High boys tennis team has won the Class M state title.
But Avon’s No. 1 singles player, Liam Hovorka, graduated, along with some other seniors, and it would be harder for the younger Falcons to keep the streak alive.
Liam’s younger brother, Ryan, now a senior, moved into the No. 1 spot and Avon moved up a group of players up who had played junior varsity. And the Falcons, who finished 10-5 in the regular season, once again advanced to the Class M finals Wednesday at Hall High against the team they beat last year, Hand.
But the top-seeded Falcons couldn’t win No. 5. Hand, the second seed, defeated Avon to win its first title since 2018, 5-2.
“We had five freshmen on the team this year, we had six returning players,” Avon’s first-year coach Matt Krenicky said. “I think three played in matches or were starters and the other guys came up from JV and we made it all the way here.
“I’d say the streak is just beginning.”
Avon started two freshmen Wednesday at No. 3 and 4 singles, Russell Lin and Harsha Lakamraju.
“Everybody on the team contributed the entire season and it was phenomenal,” Krenicky said. “I couldn’t be more proud of these guys. Not the outcome we wanted today. But Hand came to play.”
Hand senior captain Deacon Wilkins, who only lost two matches at No. 3 singles this season, said his team didn’t really think about last year. Hand also lost its No. 1 singles player to graduation and finished 12-6 in the regular season.
Hand’s Marcelo Gonzalez takes a picture of teammate Paul Fumex (right), after Hand beat Avon 5-2 to win the Class M boys tennis championship Wednesday at Hall High School in West Hartford. (Photo by Lori Riley)
“It’s not really something we thought about coming into this match because every year is a new year,” said Wilkins, who won his match 6-1, 6-4. “It was a totally different match. Even though they won four in a row, we didn’t want to think about it like that. It was a total new opportunity, a new team.”
Wilkins’ younger brother Carter, who is a freshman, lost to Hovorka at No. 1 singles, 6-2, 6-4.
“I tell people I really only started playing tennis because he did,” Deacon Wilkins said. “He plays every day; I only play because he does. I love reffing soccer. That’s my thing and his is tennis but it’s so cool we get the chance to experience this together.”
Suffield wins first title
The Suffield boys tennis team won its first title in Class S at Conard High School, 5-2 over Northwest Catholic, the team that knocked them out of the tournament last year.
“We’ve never made it to the finals,” said Suffield junior Tommy Bishop, who won at No. 2 singles, 6-3, 6-4. over Northwest’s Cooper Mason. “I don’t think any of us were expecting this.”
Suffield knocked off two-time defending champion Stonington 4-3 in the semifinals Tuesday.
“Going up against Stonington was the most nerve-racking matches,” Bishop said. “But we’re here. I never would have dreamed of something like this and now it’s a reality.”
No. 1 singles Josh Zencak defeated Northwest’s Nicholas Prosterman in a match that went to a tiebreaker, 5-7, 6-1 (10-8).
“This is a big deal for Suffield,” coach Carl Casinghino said. “We hoped to be here. We knew we had depth. Many good players and guys who improved so much in doubles. We won all the doubles today. That was huge. We just had to pull out some singles. Great team unity.”
Class M boys tennis finals
At Hall High School, West Hartford
Hand 5, Avon 2
Singles: Ryan Hovorka, Avon def. Carter Wilkins, Hand 6-2, 6-4; Andrew Seehusen, Hand def. Charles Schaff, Avon, 6-3, 6-4; Deacon Wilkins, Hand def. Russell Lin, Avon, 6-1, 6-4; Harry Hodge, Hand, def. Harsha Lakamraju, Avon, 6-3, 6-1
Doubles: Marcelo Gonzales/Gavin Waterman, Hand def. Myles Paquette/Ethan Klotz, Avon, 6-4, 6-2; Paul Fumex/Nathaniel Konstantino, Hand def. Abid Syed/Aaron Nohria, Avon 6-2, 6-4; Naveen Natchiappan/Josh Chen, Avon, def. Aidan Chorney/Will Riggio, Hand, 6-3, 6-4.
