The ConVal boys’ tennis team celebrated their lone senior at Monday’s match as they wind down their season and look to continue building under newly returned head coach Russ Fernald.
Credit: BEN CONANT / For the Ledger-Transcript
“It’s been a tough season, but these guys have more than exceeded expectations,” Fernald said after Monday’s 9-0 loss to visiting Portsmouth. “My expectations for these guys, I told them, ‘I don’t expect you to win or beat these guys.’ Our goal has been to extend points, extend the rallies, make the points longer, and work on your mechanics.”
Fernald, who was a standout player for ConVal and coached them to some success as well, took over a Cougar team this spring with just one senior and one junior to go with four sophomores and a freshman — not much experience but plenty to build on. That lack of polish has been glaring, as they’ve only won one match this season, but they’re also heading in the right direction, as that win over Coe-Brown was ConVal’s first since May 18, 2023.
“I love sharing what I’ve gone through as a player, as a coach,” Fernald said. “It’s a game of ups and downs, you know, it keeps you humble.”
The Cougars’ No. 1 player is senior Brady Clark, who battles day in and day out against Division II’s best.
“Brady’s got a complete game,” Fernald said. “He’s got a topspin forehand, topspin backhand, he’s been working on footwork in preparation because he’s playing the best players in the state every single match.”
Behind Clark on the ladder are Silas Brassard, Jacob Levitz, Luke Schoel, Van Stahlin and Quinn Lake; some of the Cougars picked up a racket in earnest for the first time six weeks ago, but they’re holding their own against opponents with 10 years more experience.
“it’s been tough on them because we’re having trouble winning games and points,” Fernald said. “But their attitude is good. They come back every day, they want to play, we want to teach.”
The Clippers shut out the Cougars on Monday; the closest contest was a spirited 9-7 loss by Stahlin and Lake at third doubles in which Portsmouth’s Ben Fisher and Wyatt Baker engineered a late comeback.
ConVal (1-11) has just two matches left on the schedule: Milford on the road Wednesday and Goffstown at home Thursday. After that, the Cougars will look to continue trending in the right direction.
“We’re building for the future,” Fernald said. “I’m told we’ve got three or four more people that want to come and play next year – and we’ll take them.”