The year of the Friars?

Chaminade entered the season having not lost a CHSAA boys tennis match in three years.  St. Anthony’s has now beaten them twice in a span of just over two weeks.

St. Anthony’s brought Chaminade’s league winning streak to an end with a 4-3 win over the Flyers on April 12.  The two teams met again on Friday, and the Friars emerged with another 4-3 victory to improve to 8-0 and establish themselves as the team to beat in CHSAA.

Over the past 30 years, Chaminade has won 25 CHSAA league titles with St. Anthony’s capturing the other five, most recently in 2006.  In this the 31^st year, the Friars appear to be the favorite.       

In addition to the play of co-captain Nick Schwab, a large part of the Friar’s success this season has been the addition of freshman John D’Alessandro at first singles.

“From a technical point, “Friar coach Richard Roslund said, “his serve is solid.  He has a big forehand.  He can also attack, set up a point and finish it with a volley.  He knows how to create a point and think his way through a point.  As a freshman that’s very impressive.”

The Friar attack may start with D’Alessandro, but it doesn’t end there.

“We have good depth,” Roslund said.  “Starting with John at number one all the way through third doubles.  I don’t see any weaknesses.  If we get beat, the other team has earned it.”