Cape boys’ tennis has hope for 2023 season

The 2023 Cape boys’ tennis team comprises in back (l-r) coach Maryanne Cardillo, A.J. Justiniani, Krish Prattipati, Oliver Townsend, Alec Radka, Trent Kauffman and coach John Myers. In front are Zach Miller, Jake McLean, Nathan Hoang and Brody Trewartha. Missing from the picture is Aiden Bowman. DAN COOK PHOTOS

Dan Cook

March 27, 2023

The Cape boys’ tennis team is working hard to improve on its 8-3 record last season and hopes to place high in the Henlopen Conference in 2023.

Coaches John Myers and Maryanne Cardillo look to junior Oliver Townsend to lead at first singles. He placed third in the Henlopen Conference tournament in 2022. Senior Aiden Bowman, who placed third in the conference last year, will play second singles. Senior Zach Miller will play third singles. Sophomore A.J. Justiniani and sophomore Trent Kauffman will play first doubles, while second doubles will be filled by senior Alec Radka and freshman Nathan Hoang.

Rounding out the team are sophomores Jake McLean, Krish Prattipati and Brody Trewartha.

“The boys are excited about the season and have been working hard to improve their games,” said coach John Myers. “They are coachable and have shown improvement weekly. We are looking forward to watch the boys embark on the season with expectations for sustained success. That being said, it’s a very inexperienced group with potential for growth, leading to a promising season. Only Townsend and Bowman have varsity match experience, but both players have improved their overall game significantly from a technical standpoint. Miller is a transfer from Virginia, but he hasn’t competed at the high school level in two years. He has a very solid overall game with consistent ground strokes. All three [singles players] should be very competitive and have the ability to be top four seeds in the conference championship.

“Both doubles team are very inexperienced, but have shown much improvement over the last three weeks of practice. Kauffman and Justiniani are good athletes who move well on the court and should compete well at first doubles. As they develop a better court chemistry, they will be a tough team play come championship time. Hoang and Radka will compete well at second doubles. Hoang’s ground strokes and Radka’s net play give them a chance to be a very solid team as the season progresses.”

The boys travel to Seaford Wednesday, March 29 and Sussex Academy Monday, April 3.