Boys tennis: Glenbard North edges Fenton on tiebreaker
Sean Boland is ready to take his tennis game to the next level.
A senior at Glenbard North, he has been the Panthers' No. 1 singles player in each of his four years. He qualified for the state tournament his freshman year.
To elevate his game, Boland took a break.
"Every year he has gotten a little better," Glenbard North coach Doug Clark said. "I think one key this year was for the first time, he actually took some time off, which was good. Before he was going every day, and I think he got burned out."
Boland demonstrated his command and control and ability to dominate from the baseline in beating Jeff Andrews of Fenton 6-1, 6-0 in first singles in a nonconference team dual match Monday in Bensenville.
The teams finished 3-3. Glenbard North won on the tiebreaker, the fewest total losses. Fenton has just nine players in the program and does not have a fourth doubles team.
"I play the majority of my game from the baseline because I feel my forehand is my strongest shot," Boland said. "Today everything was working well. I was able to get my serves in, kept my footwork up and maintained a high intensity throughout."
His game is more built on consistency and duration than overpowering his opponent.
"The groundstrokes are really the backbone of my game, and from there I look for my serve or the drop shot or the volleys to really make it work for me," he said.
Boland is set to attend Michigan State University. He hopes to play club tennis.
His new mentality is partly to negotiate the emotional demands of the sport. The season is young, and he wants to keep the game and himself in perspective.
"To be honest, my focus this year is not so much about myself," he said. "I want to think about the team and make sure that we do well and see that everybody has a good time. Our main goal is to have fun out there."
Junior Kenneth Lim beat Brandon Luisi 6-1, 6-0 at second singles. Fenton's Kyle Cacioppo rallied to beat the Panthers' John Costuna 1-6, 6-3 (10-4) at third singles.
At first doubles the Bison's Fabian Calvillo and Jacob Jarmolinski defeated Steven James and Cooper Kuhar 7-6 (4), 6-3.
The Bison's doubles teams are their strength. This is the second year Calvillo and Jarmolinski have played together. Both are also football players, and they bring a physical presence to their game.
"It was a lot of stress, that tiebreaker," Jarmolinski said.
Calvillo served out the final two points of the tiebreaker.
"We have known each other since eighth grade, and we get along very well," Calvillo said. "I think in the tiebreaker, we broke their will a little bit and they got frustrated and after the first set, they didn't really want to play after that."