Medina netters prep for title defense

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 8 April 2015 at 12:00 am

Photo by Mike Wertman – Several veteran members of the defending Niagara-Orleans League champion Medina tennis team meet here including, in front, Tristan Sanders, Brian Bogan and Tom Horgan. In back are Xion Baes, Kristian Snyder, Carson Zgoda and Mike Cardone.

Three time defending champion Medina is prepping to defend its Niagara-Orleans League tennis title looking to plug a couple of holes at the singles positions caused by graduation losses.

Sophomore Kristian Snyder, who earned first team N-O All-League honors last spring, senior Brian Bogan, a second team honoree, and junior Carson Zgoda, an honorable mention selection, head Medina’s sizable veteran contingent.

That group also includes seniors Sam Busch, Nick Dieter, Tom Horgan, Austin Owens and Abby Zavitz along with junior Tristan Sanders and sophomores Mike Cardone and Xion Baes.

However, except for Snyder, all of those veteran players played primarily doubles positions last spring.

The Mustangs chief losses to graduation were singles players Ben Howell, a three-time first team N-O honoree, and Nate Pace, a second team selection.

“We’ve got a good crew,” said Coach Chris Horgan whose Mustangs went 12-0 last spring to earn a third straight N-O title. “We lost a couple of key players so everybody is going to have to take it up a notch but I’m happy with the progress we’ve made so far. The big thing, especially the way the weather has been, is for us to get more court time so we can have a lot of challenge matches and get our lineup set.”

The Mustangs large 30 member squad also includes senior exchange student Henri Courdent, juniors Charles Beach, Lucas Cook, Michael Griffin, Zach McAdoo, Meghan O’Keefe, Corey Strickland; sophomores Nick Bogan, Aedden Cayea, Jadiel Flores-Medina, Sarah Granchelli, Abigail Griffin, Brandon Harris, Kyle Leno, Victoria Schicker, Abel Zavitz; freshmen Andrew Fuller, Tobias Kiebala and eighth graders Andrew Houseman and Ray Paull.

“I’m very pleased with all of the players we have,” said Horgan. “We’e got good athletes. The talent is there. They just need more experience. We’re really working to be more constant and to maximize our potential.”

The Mustangs are scheduled to begin their N-O title defense at home against Newfane on April 13.

Medina’s Schedule

April 13 – Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
April 15 – at Barker, 4:30 p.m.
April 17 – at Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
April 20 – Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
April 22 – at Albion, 4:30 p.m.
April 24 – Akron, 4:30 p.m.
April 29 – at Newfane, 4:30 p.m.
May 1 – Barker, 4:30 p.m.
May 4 – Roy-Hart, 4:30 p.m.
May 5 – at Wilson, 4:30 p.m.
May 8 – Albion, 4:30 p.m.
My 11 – at Akron, 4:30 p.m.
May 14 and 15 – N-O Doubles Tournament, 4:15 p.m.