Tennis The tennis season this year contained some very pleasing results. Realistically, the team went into the season expecting to be in a rebuilding stage given that half of the team was made up of Years 9 and 10 students. The Term 4 results from 2015 had given us an indication that we would be at least quite competitive. As it turned out, the 1st team had strong victories against Hale School, Guildford Grammar School and Wesley College. The most exciting victory came against Aquinas College when we finished just four games ahead of them, after being level at 12 sets each. In Term 4, Aquinas had defeated us by just two games, after also being 12 sets each. Scotch and Christ Church Grammar School proved just too strong for us. However, with both these fixtures, all our team members made sure their opponents were put under some serious pressure. In the end we finished a very creditable third and with plenty of positives to look forward to in the years ahead. Our result is a real credit to all team members. The standard of competition in PSA tennis is very high. Our squad members were required to train and then perform in a tough and uncompromising manner, yet always playing with true sportsmanship. I am proud to say that this was always the case. While we had ten different players make the 1st team in Term 4, only eight players were used in the real competition in Term 1 as their form and performance was consistently of the required standard. I congratulate Samuel Hadfield (12.7) on his leadership this season. He was an outstanding role model for the young and impressionable members of the team. Congratulations to Samuel and also Jacob Palinski (12.1) who both had the distinction of playing in the 1st VIII team from Year 8 to Year 12 and this year they held down the number one and number two positions respectively in the team. Once again I thank our professional tennis coach, Brendan Malarkey (’01), for his invaluable assistance and enthusiasm in working with the 1st team squad members. I express my thanks to our very supportive parents. Their keen interest in the performance of the team and the preparation of morning tea for home games, was greatly appreciated by both the 1st and 2nd team members. I especially thank Michael and Lydia Hadfield for their leadership of the parent helpers, along with Gloria Ashby, Dorina Martelli, Sagaya Xavier, Thomas Palinski and Sharon La Piana. TENNIS AWARDS 1ST VIII Leadership Most Consistent Most Improved
Samuel Hadfield Joshua Martelli (10.4) Ian Xavier (10.1)
2ND VIII Best Team Man Coach’s Award Most Improved
Hugo Katich (12.1) Samuel Carbone (12.1) John Buchanan (12.4)
Mr Geoff Jamieson Coach 1st VIII
3RD VIII Best Doubles Player Denzel Paul (12.7) Best Team Man Hugo Katich (12.1) Most Improved Jack Meakins (11.2) 4TH VIII Best Team Man Benjamin Mahoney (12.7) Most Consistent Huy Nguyen (12.4) Most Determined Marcus Bottega (11.4) Mr Geoff Jamieson Coach 1st VIII
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