Staff Reports
LOCKPORT — A double-header match against visiting Kenmore East on Wednesday yielded familiar results for the Lockport boys tennis Lions.
Head coach Dave Shambach’s team swept the visiting Bulldogs twice, 5-0 and 5-0, improving to a Niagara Frontier League-best 10-0.
Lockport seniors Andrew Smist, Matt DiTullio and Kevin Miller and junior Brandon Pawlinski each shined in their singles matches.
Smist defeated Dyllon Oliveri at first singles by scores of 10-1 in the first match and and 10-2 in the second. DiTullio swept Stephen Davis of the Bulldogs by identical 10-2 scores in both second singles matches.
At third singles, Miller beat Ken East’s Phil Masters 10-5 in the opening match, then Pawlinski beat Masters in the second third singles match, 10-0.
Lockport’s first doubles tandem of Pawlinski and junior Andrew Granchelli downed Nick Van Strijp and Richard Lacroix of the Bulldogs 10-0 in the first match, then Miller joined “Granch” to down Van Strijp and Lacroix 10-1 in the second first doubles match.
At second doubles, Lockport seniors Alex Schwartz and Dan Sciandra beat Rick Ranbuss and Johnathon Haeick 10-5. Sciandra then teamed with junior Chris Beaton to down Ranbuss and Haeick 10-6 in the second, second doubles match.
Shambach said he’s proud of his team’s effort so far, but said the Lions are far from league champions.
“We still have two really good matches coming up against dangerous teams,” Shambach said.
“We only beat Niagara-Wheatfield 3-2 up there and Grand Island also has a good team, so we’re still taking it one match at a time.”
N-O Tennis
Wilson 3, Newfane 2.5
The defending N-O champion-Lakemen swept the singles matches to improve to 6-0 in the N-0.
Earning straight-set win at singles were Kyle Bogdan, Jake Rohring and Cody Wolfe.
Newfane fell to 3-2 in the N-O.
Barker 5.5, Albion 0
The Raiders stayed in the thick of the N-O title race at 5-1 by blanking visiting Albion.
Barker was led by the singles trio of Eric Bennes, Peter Benoit and Alex Duffy.
