It’s been quite a while since a Franklin County tennis team advanced in the MIAA state tournament. Since 2022 it hasn’t happened. Recorder area teams are just 1-14 since the unveiling of the new tournament format. The lone win was the Mohawk Trail girls over Frontier during a 2022 preliminary round contest.
The Frontier Regional girls team came close last season, losing 3-2 to Lee in the Division 4 Round of 32. The Redhawks return most of their squad from last season.
The Frontier boys team lost to Sutton High School in the Round of 32 as well. The Redhawks moved into the Valley Wheel league this year. A lot of area teams have young and inexperienced rosters but there are some solid talents in the region. Here’s a closer look at the local field.
GIRLS TENNIS
Frontier
COACH: Andrew Varnon
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 14-8
ROSTER: Sophomores — Anneke Bosman, Kayla Fagan, Thanushi Ratnatunge, Isabella Sibley; Freshman — Jimin Ahn, Brooke Charest, Esther Ehle, Hailey Fernandez, Kaylee Jackman, Eleanor Wade; Eighth grade — Salome Ehle; Seventh grade — Aurora Beck, Adeline Cardona, Lanaya Craig, Chloe Gilman, Madeline Kells, Fiona Murphy, Simone Toschik.
OUTLOOK: The Redhawks have a young roster but return eight players from last year’s team that made it to the Western Mass Class B finals. Frontier is especially strong in doubles competition, led by Brooke Charest and Hailey Fernandez in No. 1 doubles.
Greenfield
COACH: Alexis Silk
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 5-9
ROSTER: Amy Mihailicenco, Adele Bross, Karina Kostov, Lizzy Derivolkovam, Stelle Longe, Veralyn Jackson, Natalia Card, Savannah Portier, Clara Kesley, Sam Cocking.
OUTLOOK: Greenfield has a nice mix of returning players and a group of young players joining to team. Mihailicenco is tough to beat at No. 1 singles for the Green Wave. Greenfield opened its season with a victory over Mohawk.
Mohawk Trail
COACH: Greg Lilly (interim)
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 2-10
ROSTER: Seniors — Hazel Foucault, Ivan Hillenbrand; Freshmen: Ryah Pizzi, Anneke Whitsett; Eighth grade — Anabelle Koshinsky, Josli Solano; Seventh grade; Seventh grade — Drew Cusimano, Evan Vidal, Brooke Walker, Avery Calhoun, Laila Walters.
OUTLOOK: Foucault is the top singles player for the Warriors. Hillenbrand and Whitsett have some experience at at No. 1 doubles. Pizzi and Koshinsky have a competition for No. 2 and No. 3 singles. Previous coach Caity Mans took the year off but intends to return for the 2027 season. “Very young and enthusiastic group that is working incredibly hard at practice,” Lilly said.
Turners Falls
COACH: Vic Gonzalez
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 3-12
ROSTER: Sophomores — Layla Hammond, Olivia Cody, Gianna Marigliano, Keira Feeley; Sophomores — Morgan Ricko, Olivia Wolbach, Makalya Craig; Freshmen — Indira Wills, Destiny Rodriguez, Chloey Bucinskas, Viviana Rosa; Eighth grade — Anna McCarthy, Jesi Berry, Jo Licita; Seventh grade — Lily Summer, Kenzie Flaxington, Alannah Feeley, Hanha Kyselyora.
OUTLOOK: Olivia Wolbach is a tough customer at No. 1 singles for the Thunder. “We have a lot of new young kids,” Gonzalez said. “We just have to find our way.”
BOYS TENNIS
Frontier
COACH: Brian Campbell
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 11-5
ROSTER: Juniors — Casey Bestler, Xavier Fripp, Liam Wells, Noah Nichols, Anthony Leonardi, Henry Pleasant, Noah Smith, Leo Reiber.
OUTLOOK: Frontier moved into the Valley Wheel this season and will play tougher competition. Bestler went 8-4 last season and has the athleticism and patience to stay with anybody in No. 1 singles. Fripp makes the move from doubles to singles this season.
Greenfield
COACH: Rick Miner
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 6-6
ROSTER: Sophomore — Julian Cavanaugh; Freshmen — Colby Shepard, Ben Russell, Tyler Peterson; Eighth grade — Maddan Garcia; Seventh grade — Conor O’Connell.
OUTLOOK: The co-op with Mohawk will have three players from each school. The team this season is very young and inexperienced. This will be a year of learning over on Davis Street.
Turners Falls
COACH: Steve Touloumtzis
LEAGUE/DIVISION: Tri-County North
LAST YEAR’S RECORD: 1-11
ROSTER: Seniors — Noah Kolodziej, Mario Pareja, Vaughn LaValley; Sophomore — Daniel Morales; Freshmen — Connor Glennon, Daniel Lapinski, Noah Blanchard, Nick Damkoehler, Sage Davis; Eighth grade — Nethanel Martin, Braden Hurlburt; Seventh grade — Sebastian Osciak, Andrew Hurlburt; Sixth grade — Roman Anderson, Antony Castro-Siano.
OUTLOOK: Kolodziej, Pareja and LaValley all worked hard to improve their technique in the offseason. Kolodziej figures to be at No. 1 singles for the Thunder. Turners Falls should have a very competitive season playing in the Tri-County league.
