Tough Season for Finley Boys’ Tennis
After a sensational season last spring, the J. Taylor Finley Middle School boys’ tennis team struggled this year, winning just one match.
The Falcons compiled a 9-1 mark last year, but went 1-8 this spring after dropping four matches by 4-3 verdicts. Coached by Eric Mininni, the team was captained by eighth graders Ed Brambil, Kyle Chin and Jay Schmitt.
Finley’s lone victory came in the opening match of the season as the Falcons nipped East Northport, 4-3. The team went on to lose contests against Hauppauge (4-3 and 4-3), Stimson (4-3), Commack (6-1), Elwood (5-2), Northport (6-1), Oldfield (7-0) and East Northport (4-3).
“We had a young team that didn’t have as much experience as we have had in the past,” Mininni said. “The team was a work in progress. We had plenty of growing pains, but progress was made over the year. It was a trying season.”
The four 4-3 losses crippled Finley’s chance for a winning record, but the Falcons kept their competitive focus intact.
Brambil played well in the No. 1 singles slot, going 6-1 in match play. “Ed has great potential to contribute to the high school tennis squad,” Mininni said. “He made major strides in his game and will benefit from competing against tougher competition next year.”
Casey DiGiacomo filled Finley’s No. 2 singles slot. “It was Casey’s first year playing and he did a great job,” Mininni said. “He’s a raw talent. The more hits he gets the better he will become.”
Chin went 4-2 in No. 3 singles. “Kyle is another first year player who was a key contributor,” Mininni said. “He’s a quiet leader, but his teammates and I respected him.”
Finley’s 11-player roster also included seventh graders Christopher Bauer, Connor Dougal, Max Gordon, Michael Ochoa-Alvarez and Matthew Quinn and eighth graders Sebastian Blot, Christopher Chang and Thomas Friebolin.
Gordon, who played No. 4 singles and the second doubles team of Dougal and Bauer will return next spring to lead Finley.