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Great season - congratulations to you all!!!

Monday, May 16, 2016

Conference Tournament

Great job by the doubles teams of Anders/Harrison and Anthony/Luke today at the conference tournament.  It was a beautiful day, and there were terrible winds, but the lads, as always, represented the schools admirably.

Finally, special thanks to Max for coming up to support his boys!

Selected photos below.
Click PPV Conference 1 Tourney to see all the photos.











End of the season, bittersweet

Last week in review: three matches, three wins

All pix from the week are at:Week of tennis

5/10: No Salem, 5-2, including doubles wins from Harrison and Anders, and Luke and Anthony




5/11: JFK: 7-0, including a singles win from Max and doubles wins from Luke and Anthony, and Matt and Sam






5/12: Panas: 6-1, huge win, improving on our earlier win of 4-3.  Notable wins from Max (again!), Matt in a grueling effort of mental toughness, and Anders and Devonte, also showing the fortitude to keep fighting right until the end.

Congratulations to the boys for a fantastic season.

So, why bittersweet?
The bitter
  • Out last two matches against Lakeland look like they are not going to be rescheduled.  If we had played these matches it is likely we would have won, which would have given us a 9-7 WINNING record.  
  • I'm gonna miss working with you all and seeing your skills improve.
The sweet
  • Our record was 7-7, perhaps the best in PPV tennis history
  • We earned a fantastic win in our last match against Beacon, including come-from-behinds for Matt in the singles spot and the doubles team of Anders/Devonte
  • Two doubles teams were awarded spots in the Conference Tournament
    • Harrison and Anders, 8-2 overall
    • Luke and Anthony, 4-0
It was a great season during which each and every player improved.

Boys, you should be proud of yourselves for your dedication to improving and your competitive spirit!

Monday, May 9, 2016

Busy week ahead

One last practice today before five matches in four days.

Today's practice focused on getting doubles teams to the net, something we've been working on all year.   Also, positioning on the court is crucial.  If we find ourselves in no-man's land between the service line and base line, we're going to find it difficult to win a point.  Hold your baseline and play the ball off the bounce or, after a short shot by your opponent, hit a deep approach and both teammates take the net and end the point!

Here is our schedule for the week

May 9: practice
May 10: match, home, vs North Salem
May 11: match, home, vs JFK
May 12: match, home, at Panas
May 13: match, double header at Lakeland

Tentative lineup for tomorrow

1S Harrison
2S Matt
3S Devonte

1D Luke, Anthony
2D Anders, Max
3D Joey S, Steven
4D Joey M, Sam

Short video on doubles positioning and getting to the net:




Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Another cancel

Today's match against Panas has been cancelled.

Training at the Peekskill High School fitness center, 3:30.

Monday, May 2, 2016

Lineup vs Lakeland

Tentative!

1S Matt
2S Max
3S Devonte

1D Anthony, Luke
2D Anders, Harrison
3D Joe M, Karlos
4D Sam, Enok

Reserve: Joey S, Steven, Anthony C

Weather

It is going to be a wet week.  Our match today was cancelled, but we are going to reschedule for May 13th.

Here is the schedule going forward

Tuesday, May 3: vs Lakeland, 3:30 at Depew
Wednesday, May 4: vs Panas, 3:30 at Depew
Thursday, May 5, vs Kennedy, 3:30 at Depew
Friday, May 6, Practice, 3:30 at Depew

Monday, May 9: Practice, 3:30 at Depew
Tuesday, May 10: vs No. Salem, 3:30 Depew
Wednesday, May 11: Practice, 3:30 at Depew
Thursday, May 12: Practice, 3:30 at Depew
Friday, May 13: at Lakeland, 3:30 Lakeland HS (last match)

Sectionals, should anyone make it, begin the week of May 16th.

Match #11: at Ossining

at Ossining, April 29

Anders gets his first singles win!  Great job by Anders to fight off another good athlete in Friday's match.  We also saw strong play from Harrison, battling a young tennis star.  Both of these young men are turning into strong players!

Lineup:
1S Harrison
2S Max
3S Anders

1D Devonte, Anthony
2D Joe S, Steven
3D Ossining forfeit
4D double forfeit


Thursday, April 28, 2016

Match #10: Hen Hud

Hen Hud is one of the strongest teams in the league, so playing them can be a great challenge as well as a great opportunity.  Our boys went into every match with confidence and a determination to compete with determination.   Of course, they met my expectations and played admirably.

Lineup:

1S: Luke 
2S: Matt
3S: Devonte

1D: Anthony and Max
2D: Anders and Harrison
3D: Karlos and Steven
4D: Sam and Joe M

Saturday, April 23, 2016

Match #9: at Beacon

Some well fought matches against a strong Beacon team yesterday.  Though we lost, I see great improvement, heart and sportsmanship from all players.

Shout out performance to Devonte, who fought valiantly through three sets against a tough opponent.  After the match, the opposing coach made a point to D about the great improvement in his game.  I agree: Devonte is playing as well as I've ever seen him play.



And another dominating performance from Harrison and Anders.  Great job guys!


Finally, thanks to the parents for supporting the kids.  It means a lot to have you all there.
Next week's schedule: Monday, home, No. Salem; Wednesday, home, Hen Hud; Friday, away, Ossining.






Friday, April 22, 2016

Match #9: at Beacon

FINAL lineup (2 pm)

1S Matthew Scolaro (PV)
2S Anthony Castro (PHS)
3S Davonte Woodton (PHS)

1D Maxuel Martins (PV)
1D Anthony Ricciardi (PV)

2D Harrison Deegan (PV)
2D Anders Spittal (PV)

3D Steven Sperling (PV)
3D Samuel Martinez (PHS)

4D Joey Muschette (PHS)
4D Joe Saez (PV)

RES Karlos Chamba (PHS)
RES Lucas Greenwood (PV)
RES Enok Guartembel (PHS)
RES Aaron Breton (PHS)

Wednesday, April 20, 2016

The Peekskill Side

Most of our players represented here.  Just missing Aaron Breton.
Great work boys, and remember to turn your shoulders when loading up!




Match #8: at Kennedy Catholic

Another great win today.  All four of our teams won, including a great come-from-behind win for Luke in the 2nd singles spot.  Luke was down 2-5, but muscled his way back to an 8-6 win.  The key moment was when he broke serve to get to 5-6, and then ran away with it from there. Great, clutch play.


Devonte also earned another dominating win in the 3rd singles spot.  As you can see from the pic, Devonte is moving extremely well and taking control of the play.  Love it!


Finally, Matt earned another win in the 1st singles spot.  



Follow this link for a full set of pix: Match vs Kennedy Catholic

Lineup:

1S Matt
2S Luke
3S Devonte

1D Anders/Harrison
2D, 3D, 4D all Kennedy forfeits

Lineup vs Kennedy

Kennedy Location:  124-274 heritage Hills Drive, Somers, NY
GPS:

41°20'15.3"N 73°41'25.3"W

or
or 41.337917, -73.690324


Lineup: 
1S Luke
2S: Matt
3S: Devonte

1D Anders/Harrison
2D Max/Steven
3D Karlos/Anthony C
4D Sam/Enok

RES Joe Saez, Joey Muchette
OUT, Anthony R, Aaron B

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Match tomorrow, 4/20, vs Kennedy Catholic

I will confirm with the Kennedy AD tomorrow morning, but it looks like there is a match tomorrow.

Match is at Kennedy Catholic.

tentative lineup

1S Luke
2S Matt
3S Anthony C

1D Anders/Harrison
2D Max/Anthony R
3D Aaron/Joey M
4D Steven/Karlos

Monday, April 18, 2016

Match 7: Panas

A great win!  On our first really hot day of tennis, the PPV boys were able to earn their first true, seven game match 4-3.  Though there were many highlights, three matches demonstrated some of the mental toughness so necessary in successful tennis.  First, Matt was able to hold on and win a first set tie-breaker 14-12 and then put the match away in the second set.  Second, in the 1st doubles spot, Luke and Anthony rebounded from a second set "bagel" to win the third set super tiebreaker and, finally, Steven and Anthony, new partners, worked out their first set jitters (they lost the set) to go on to win the second set and the third set super-tiebreaker in relative comfort.

Great credit goes to Max and Harrison who stepped into unfamiliar 1st and 2nd singles roles.  Both played well, with Harrison narrowly missing the win in a three set marathon.

Lineup:

1S Max
2S Harrison
3S Matt

1D Luke/Anthony R
2D Anders/Devonte
3D Steven/Anthony C
4D Samuel/Joe

And finally, much thanks again to Enoc for support his team!

Match 6: vs Ossining

Another challenge, especially for our singles players, but we enjoyed success with our doubles teams, including wins from the unstoppable team of Spittal and Deegan, plus a fantastic, come from behind, over time win for Aaron and Joey.  Great stuff from all players!

Lineup:

1S Luke
2S Matt
3S Devonte

1D Max/Anthony
2D Anders/Harrison
3D Aaron/Joey
4D OSS forfeit

Match 5: at Hen Hud

At Hen Hud - we saw some very strong competition, and our boys were able to try out some new positions in the lineup.  I think the best part of the day was the picture!


Lineup

1S Matt
2S Max
3S Anthony

1D Anders/Harrison
2D Luke/Devonte
3D Aaron/Joey
4D Anthony/Sam

Saturday, April 9, 2016

Match 4: at North Salem

Difficult conditions outside, very cold and wet.  Courts were extremely soft.
Singles players went up against stiff competition and competed well.  Congratulations to Max for stepping into the 2S role and facing a big serve.

And the the Harrison/Anders team continues to find success with great court coverage and attacking the net.  Well done in the 1S spot!

Lineup:
1S: Matt
2S: Max
3S: Devonte

1D: Anders/Harrison
2D: NS forfeit
3D: NS forfeit
4D: NS forfeit

Finally, special thanks to Aaron, Sam, Anthony, Enoc and Kiran for making the trip to support the team!


Practice 12: Conditioning and Volleyball

Wet day.  We worked on speed work and conditioning using the turf courts.  Then played 3v3 "volleyball."  Objective is to improve ball contact and to be able to react quickly, especially in volleying.

Match 3: vs Beacon

Very competitive match.  Our singles players continue to battle and will take their experiences forward to improved play.  Congratulations to Devonte, who moved around the court as well as he has ever done.

Lineup
1S: Matt
2S: Lucas
3S: Devonte

1D: Anthony and Max
2D: Anders and Harrison
3D: Joey and Aaron
4D: Steven and Joe

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Match 2: vs Brewster

Good work from the doubles boys, especially Anthony and Max who hung in mentally and earned a win that was their's for the taking.   

Singles boys had a tough afternoon, but will take the experience and learn from it.  Consider what Matt had to adapt to in an opponent that threw a non-conventional style at him.  In those situations, we must remain patient and confident in our own game, and not try to over-compensate for your opponents' lack of pace.  

Also, all players greatly improve their chances when they move their feet to the ball.  Constantly bending over and reaching for a low ball leads to undesired results.   Instead, move quickly to the ball so you can take it just before it reaches the highest point of its bounce. Also, with low balls, get your body low, too - really, as low as possible!


Line-up:
S1 Luke
S1 Matt
S3 Devonte

D1 Anthony, Max
D2 Anders, Harrison

D3, D4 Brewster forfeit

Monday, April 4, 2016

Practice 11: Weight training

At PHS fitness center.

Brewster reschedule

Today's match against Brewster has been rescheduled for tomorrow, April 5.  Arrive at the courts by 3:45.

They only have five teams, too, so we will play Luke, Matthew and Devonte 1, 2 and 3 singles, and Max/Anthony 1 doubles, Anders/Harrison 2 doubles.

Expect to play 8 game prosets, but the final decision on sets will be made depending on weather at game time.

Let' go!

Thursday, March 31, 2016

Match 1: Lourdes High School

Wins from #2 singles, #2 doubles and #4 doubles.  Great job, especially Matthew, who earned a win using his mind as well as his tennis.

Also, props to Aaron, who played a solid, steady and, when appropriate, aggressive doubles game.

Notes to singles players:
1. take the ball early, just before it hits the top of its arc.
2. work hard to get your body and feet in the right position to make the shot.

Notes to doubles players:
1. court management, meaning to be mindful of your position on the court - you and your partner should be evenly covering the court: one on the deuce side, one on the ad side.
2. get to the net!
3. when at the net, stagger your position.

Here is a quick video on some doubles basics.  Notice the formation of the serving team shown during point #3, and compare them to the formation of the receiving team.  Whatever works for you and your partner, works!



And special thanks to Kiran, who managed a solid side and organized the match perfectly!

Lineup:

1S Lucas Greenwood
2S Matthew Scolaro
3S Davonte Woodton

1D Maxuel Martins
1D Anthony Ricciardi

2D Anders Spittal
2D Harrison Deegan

3D Aaron Breton
3D Joey Muschette

4D Steven Sperling
4D Joe Saez

Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Practice #10: Match play and lessons

March 30, 2016

Match play: Luke vs Matthew, Matthew vs Devonte
Doubles play: Maax/Anthony vs Devonte/Coach

Lesson work with Aaron, Samuel, Anock, Joe, Steven, Karlos and Anthony

Reiterate forehand technique.  Coach plays balls to player, player works on direct return, keeping the ball in play.  Emphasis on upper body rotation, side to net, weight transfer back to front, and follow through.

Activity: doubles King of the court, doubles "touch the fence."  The second game involved two pairs of partners on each side of the net.  First pair plays a ball in and retreats to the fence behind them while waiting doubles team replaces them at the baseline.  Play points, winner ears point, play to ten.

Practice #9: match play

Singles and doubles matches.

Singles: Luke, Devonte, Matt

Doubles: Max, Anthony, Aaron, Joe, Steven

Monday, March 28, 2016

Practice #8: PHS Fitness Center

We will meet today at 3:30 in the fitness center.  Our objective is to work on arm, shoulder and core strength.  I will bring our training sheet.  You will also be asked to run for 20 min on the treadmill, so being appropriate footwear.

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Player Fitness

Follow the link below to view some recommendations for maintaining strength and fitness during the break.  Keep in mind that your training should be done to support tennis-specific strength, such as exercises to strengthen the shoulder or the forearms.


Finally, the best thing you can do is play tennis.  Rallying, playing points and playing full games for one or two hours will do everything you need to get ready for the season!

You can also visit the USTA website for examples of training as well as more ideas.

Practice #7, March 18

Objective: Mastering serve

Intro: Mini-tennis.  Players work in pairs and play tennis within the service boxes.  Emphasis on stroke form, tempo, touch.

Lesson: Coach models stance, stroke, toss and trajectory of the ball.  Stance has front foot at a 45° angle with the service line, back foot parallel with the service line.  Toss is high and slightly in front of the server (if left the fall, the tossed ball should fall about 12" - 24" inside of the service line).  Racquet goes backwards as the toss goes up, racquet sweeps back and comes forward to hit the ball at it's highest point.




Activity: Players are broken in to groups and each takes one of the four service courts and practice serves.  Coach works with each player to reinforce technical points.

Close: Around the World!

Friday, March 18, 2016

Practice #6, March 17

Objective: reiterate ground strokes, some doubles strategy.

Intro: Mini-tennis.  Players work in pairs and play tennis within the service boxes.  Emphasis on stroke form, tempo, touch.

Lesson: Students work independently with coach.  Start at service line, mini tennis.  Coach reiterates importance of shoulder turn.  Work through an entire bucket of cross-court forehands, then an entire bucket of cross-court backhands.  Pace depends on ability of player.  Three progressions max: 1st is played at the service line; 2nd is in no-man's land; third is from the baseline.  After each shot, the player must return to the center and get in a ready position.

Cross-court forehands: Torque it!




While players are waiting, they play King of the Court.  First in singles games, then as doubles teams.

Wednesday, March 16, 2016

Practice #5, March 16

Objective: introduction to volleying and some doubles strategy.

Intro: Dribbling and tossing with the racquet, backhand and forehand.   Players work alone, but everyone is on the same 1/2 court. Dribble tennis balls straight down 20x, the keep ball in the air 20x. 3 minutes standing still. 3-5 minutes moving around the 1/2 court.  Start with forehand, continue with backhand.  Increase height of the tossing and the force of the dribbling.

Lesson: Break up into pairs.  Work on volleying technique.  On balls of the feet, racquet at center of body, racquet head high, slight backhand grip.  Stroke is a very short "punch" stroke.  Rotate shoulders slightly, punch the ball with the racquet head.  Key to success is: stiff elbow and wrist, your head and the head of the racquet are at the same height when the ball is struck, short back-swing, short follow through.



Activity: coach hits ground strokes to players at net.  Players work on form and technique.

Progression #1: players start at service line, coach plays them balls, players volley balls back and together take a few steps towards the net.  Emphasis on body moving forward, continually attacking the net, looking to control net play, and positioning for a put away (angled shot deep the corners).

Progression #2: players start at baseline.  Coach plays a shot ball and receiving player makes a deep approach shot and the two partners start coming to the net.  Strategy: on shallow shot when both players are at the baseline, players see the shallow shot as an opportunity to make an approach, then do so with a deep return, and then they come to the net.  Non-hitting player takes closer "attack" position at the net, looking for a put-away.  Hitting player lags a little just inside the service line to cover in case of a lob.  Players are never flat.

Play: singles players play points.  One plays, one waits.  Win and stay on.  Doubles players play sets.

Close: Around the World (Ashton wins).

Tuesday, March 15, 2016

Practice is ON today, March 15

Practice starts at 3:30.

Rain is in the forecast Thursday and Friday.

If it is raining Thursday, practice will be from 3:30 to 5 in the High School fitness center.

If it is raining Friday, we will meet in the Middle School gym from 4:30 to 5:30. The Middle School address is 212 Ringold Street.

Monday, March 14, 2016

Practice today cancelled

Practice on 3/14 is cancelled because of the rain.
See you all tomorrow, 3/15, at 3:30.

Sunday, March 13, 2016

Plan for week of March 14 - 18

The team will continue to work on skills.  We will introduce volleying, serving, and some strategy by the end of the week.

The following week is Spring Break.  All players should find time to play every day during the break!

Over the break, I will put together a ladder.  Then, when we come back, we will play challenge games Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday to perfect the rankings.

Play in Friday's match will be based on the results of the ladder.  First, second and third ranked players will play singles, fourth through eleventh ranked players will play doubles teams.

Practice #4, March 14

Objective: continue working on backhand

Intro: Dribbling and tossing, backhand and forehand.   Players work alone, but everyone is on the same 1/2 court. Dribble tennis balls straight down 20x, the keep ball in the air 20x. 3 minutes standing still. 3-5 minutes moving around the 1/2 court.  Start with forehand, continue with backhand.

Lesson: Break up one hand and two hand backhand players. One hand players: assess grip, reiterate stroke for a slice (or Australian?) backhand. Stroke starts high and finishes high.

One-handers: Coach is on one side, two or four players on the other (if four, two players active, two players shadowing).  Coach feeds backhands to players.  Work on technical: weight transfer, shoulder turn, finish perpendicular to net.  Keep the head focused on point of contact all the way through the stroke!



Two-handers: Work on form - backswing hands are together and close to body, shoulders hard turned to ball, right shoulder is pushing to the chin and player looks forward. Inside-out swing, hands are away from body as the ball is struck, left hand dominant, finish swing with a totally open stance, inside left elbow coming across the face.



Play: 2v2, 1/2 court hitting. Working on control. Focus is on weight shift: loading up weight on the back foot, transitioning weight to front foot, keeping shoulders perpendicular to the net on finish (one-handers) or being open to net (two handers).

Close with this activity.

Practice #3, March 11

Objective: introduce proper backhand grip, hitting a backhand

 Intro: Identify one hand and two hand backhand players. Then break into two groups. One hand players: work on grip, stroke for a slice (Australian) backhand. Stroke starts high and finishes high. 

One-handers' lesson: teams of two, both standing at a fence. One is a hitter, one feeds. Hitter starts half way through the shot: shoulders are turned perp to fence, weight on back foot, racquet back, both hands on racquet (weak hand about at the neck). Partner bounces the ball to hitter, hitter finishes the shot. Shoulders stay closed, from racquet head, to front shoulder, through chest, to back shoulder to off hand in back is all on one plane (see Federer).

Two-handers' lesson: both happen to be developed players. Worked on form - backswing hands are together and close to body, shoulders hard turned to ball, right shoulder is pushing to the chin and player looks forward. Inside-out swing, hands are away from body as the ball is struck, left hand dominant, finish swing with a totally open stance, inside left elbow coming across the face.

Play: 2v2, 1/2 court hitting. Working on control. Focus is on weight shift: loading up weight on the back foot, transitioning weight to front foot, keeping shoulders perpendicular to the net on finish (one-handers) or being open to net (two handers).

Close with this activity.

Practice #2, March 10

Practice #2

Objective: Continue developing forehand skills. In addition to proper forehand grip and shifting the weight, work on shoulder rotation, swing direction (low to high), and swing finish.

Intro: "dribbling and tossing." Players work alone, but everyone is on the same 1/2 court. Dribble tennis balls straight down 20x, the keep ball in the air 20x. 3 minutes standing still. 3-5 minutes moving around the 1/2 court.

Lesson: 2v2, 1/2 court hitting. Working on control and cross court shot. Focus is on weight shift: loading up weight and torque on the back foot, transitioning weight to front foot.

Coach training: doubles teams, coach feeds a cross court shot, receiving player must return a cross court shot, teams play out point. Coach works each count (deuce and ad, both sides) fifteen - twenty balls to each position.

Play: hitting doubles and singles. Two doubles games. No serve. Self-feed cross court shots. Close: Around the word singles competition.

Practice #1, March 9

Practice #1 Introductory practice

Objective: introduce proper forehand grip, hitting a forehand

Intro: 2v2, 1/2 court hitting. Working on control and cross court shot. Focus is on weight shift: loading up weight and torque on the back foot, transitioning weight to front foot.

Coach training: coach feeds forehands to teams of two. Work on and reinforce fundamentals - grip, shoulder turn, high finish.

Play: hitting doubles and singles. Self-feed. Doubles game on one court has eight players. Play in pairs, one pair at the base line playing the point, one pair behind them waiting, shadowing play.Win the point, then stay. Lose the point, then quickly switch with waiting players, and continue.

Close with this activity.