Boys tennis: Barrington shows its depth with Prospect Invite title
So far, so good for Barrington's boys tennis team.
Coach John Roncone's team flashed its strength and its depth by winning three of four flights at doubles, and a title at No. 2 singles, to outscore defending state champion New Trier and lift the championship trophy at the annual Knights Invite Saturday afternoon in Mount Prospect.
“We played very well today. We needed a team effort and we got one in order to win this invite,” said Roncone.
This would be the second consecutive weekend the Broncos would defeat the perennial state power Trevians after beating coach Tad Eckerts' club 3-2 to capture second place honors at the Benet/DGS Invite a week ago.
“John (Roncone) threw five good teams at us last weekend. He has a good looking team this year,” said Eckert, who celebrated a Max Bengtsson victory at No. 1 singles over Barrington's Bradley Yu in straight sets, then a three-set win at No. 1 doubles.
“Bengtsson won a lot of big points against Bradley, but it was a match that was closer than the 6-2, 6-2 results,” offered Roncone.
“My serves are bigger this year, and I've been able to vary my shots more than my first two years of high school,” said the junior Yu, who last weekend beat Hinsdale Central star Danny Schmelka in three sets.
Yu and Broncos No. 1 singles Ammar Wazir were both state qualifiers last season, and the sophomore Wazir appears to have his eyes set on another state appearance following his straight-set win over New Trier's TJ Dale in his final match.
In doubles, the Broncos flexed their collective muscle when their No. 2-4 teams claimed the top prize Saturday.
Senior Kyle Shuff and rookie Pranav Gadiraju continued their early season success with a three-set win (5-7, 7-5, 10-8) over New Trier (Charlie Cohen-Brent Salzman) while teammates Tim Lowe-Brent Li needed just two sets over Max and Xander Radicz of Warren.
Warren would finish fourth overall with 23 points, seven back of Highland Park.
Broncos Li-Lowe were 6-2, 6-4 winners at No. 4 doubles against Oak Park-River Forest.
The Broncos' top team of Matt D'Amore-Dylan Er fell in a third set super tiebreaker (2-6, 6-3, 10-8) in their final to Dylan Drier-Jay Wagn of New Trier.
“Matt and Dylan battled, but just fell short in their final, but played really well doing so, while Kyle and Pranuv did all the right things to win a big one for us,” said Roncone.
“Pranav is a great addition to our team. He is a big-time shot maker and a player who will make our team much better than last year,” said Shuff, who along with Er last year went 3-2 at the state tournament.
“For the last two weekends, the guys have been able to compete with some very talented teams in the state, but there's still a lot of work ahead of us, plus we'll have to tighten a few things up if we want to continue to play at a high level,” said Roncone, whose club outscored New Trier 60-48.
Next up for the Broncos is Mid-Suburban West rival Conant next Thursday, before a date at the high profile Jay Kramer Invite on Saturday at Hinsdale Central.