Depth, balance lead South Side

Just how deep is South Side’s boys’ varsity tennis team this spring? Consider this: the Cyclones have six different sets of doubles tandems with at least two victories, as well as three singles players with a combined record 16-6 through 10 matches.

It could all add up to a Conference 2 championship if South Side (9-1) can hold off Garden City (9-2) and others. Beating Garden City, 4-3, last Friday was huge, Cyclones coach Chris Colesanti said. “We’re in the driver’s seat [to win the conference], but the kids need to stay focused,” he said. “They have a real chance if they keep it up.”

“I thought we’d be a good team and be in playoff contention,” he added. “The goal was to finish in the top four out of eight and make the playoffs. I didn’t know if we could finish ahead of the pack, but it’s been a great run so far with only one loss in 10 matches.”

Even though the latest win came by the slimmest of margins, Colesanti said the Cyclones locked up the fourth court needed for victory with a bunch of action still ongoing. Junior David Reinharz and sophomore Christian Ardito secured clutch wins at No. 1 and No. 3 singles, respectively.

Reinharz, a lefty, is in his second season at first singles and has a record of 6-3. “David’s had good, tough matches with everyone,” Colesanti said. “All of his losses were three long and grueling sets. He hits hard and can vary speeds. He’s also stronger physically and mentally than he was last year.”

Ardito, who was recently cleared to join the team after recovering from a broken left arm, has solidified the singles corps. He’s undefeated in four matches and has dropped only one set. “Christian has been playing tennis since he was a young kid,” Colesanti said. “He has so much natural talent, and a lot of upside. He’s got a smooth swing.”

At No. 2 singles, veteran four-year starter Max Kramer is 6-3 with a couple of gutsy wins to his credit. He beat Andrew Bentz of Massapequa, 7-6 (10-8 tiebreak), 6-2, and avenged an earlier loss to Oceanside’s Jake Cohen with a come-from-behind three-set win on May 1. “Max has variety and craft in his game and attacks the net well,” Colesanti said. “He doesn’t rely on one weapon.”

On the doubles end, the Cyclones have quite a duo at No. 4. Junior Billy Anthony and sophomore Jack McCarthy are known as “Big Man Tennis,” and they’ve come through all season with a 9-0 mark. 

At third doubles, senior Mat Aliotta and freshman James Ryan are holding their own with a 4-3 mark. In the top slot, junior Tyler Davis and sophomore Nolan Tiss are both calm and steady players. They gutted out a 5-7, 7-5, 7-5 win against Oceanside.

Clutch and dependable are two words Colesanti used to describe junior Danny Collins and sophomore Ryan Chelius at second doubles. They’re 8-2. Chelius, the team’s most improved player according to the coach, is strong at the net, while Collins is a consistent baseliner.

Top alternate duos Mark Behar-Chris Panatier, and Brian Scala-Will Stern have contributed two wins apiece.