In the afterglow of victory, championship teams tend to overstate the adversity overcome, the imprints on history made, that led them to the top. But the St. Francis Prep boys’ tennis team doesn’t have to exaggerate. In winning their third consecutive city title on Monday, May 18, the Terriers closed the book on an unforgettable high school career, and on a few battles through fear that only real-life tribulations can provide.
They edged out Iona Prep 3-2 the last time the teams played, but they made it look easy Monday afternoon at the Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center. At first singles, Alex DeRienzo beat Michael Cox, 6-1, 6-1. At third, David Arroyave beat Greg Yellen, 6-0, 6-2. The doubles tandems of Kilby Featherston/Joe Laskowski and Chris Zipf/Dillan Hogan soon followed suit, helping St. Francis Prep to a 4-1 win over its closest league rivals – and to its third consecutive CHSAA title. (Archbishop Molloy claimed victory in the ‘B’ division.)
“It seems like we really deserved it,” Laskowski said. “We’ve been working really hard this year.”
“We worked our asses off,” DeRienzo agreed.
Laskowski, for his part, says he lost 40 pounds since last season. He worked on his groundstrokes, improved his serve, and took to the court a much fleeter person than he was in 2008.
But the recent experiences of head coach John Brennan are first in players’ minds as they recall the events of the 2009 season. He underwent an operation in January that replaced his tongue tissue and removed cancerous tumors in his mouth. He did not expect to return this season, but he ended up healing more quickly than expected.
“I didn’t know I would be here at all,” he said. “Given that, this is sweet.”
“He’s been a big inspiration in my life,” DeRienzo said of his coach. “He’s one of the best coaches you can have.”
The title marks Brennan’s seventh championship over a 17-year career.
While the Terriers welcome Brennan’s return to form, they say goodbye to DeRienzo, the senior and future Fordham University player whose undefeated streak exceeds recent memory. On Monday, he played nearly flawless tennis, outrunning Cox and hitting his corners without any concern for court position or balance. Over the last four years, he has been a leader for the Terriers.
“It’s nice to have a player who obviously plays his best tennis at the best times,” Brennan said. “He’s a great match player.”
One of Arroyave’s first reactions, too, was to think of his teammate.
“It’s great for Alex,” he said. “He’s been on the team this whole time.”
