Mustangs boys tennis team looks to create a racket
The Mustangs are chomping at the bit and can't wait to hit the courts for tennis season.
If there’s strength in numbers, the Medford High boys tennis team could be among the most powerful on the court this season.
The Mustangs welcomed 25 players at tryouts last month. It was an overwhelming turnout for a team that barely had a handful show up at this time last year. The added surge of interest has paid instant dividends for the program as they open the new season, Tuesday against Bedford.
“We’re excited because our numbers are really strong,” said coach Drew Hendrickson.
Many of the new faces have been recruited by members of the returning varsity. Others have come as a direct result of the All Court Enrichment (ACE) summer program, which Hendrickson held all summer at Dugger Park.
With the large influx of new recruits, the coach and his staff are carefully cultivating the group to see what each athlete has to offer.
“With so many kids, we’ll have to be creative with our practice time, work together, and be as efficient as possible in terms of improving,” said Hendrickson, entering his fifth year at the helm. “Tennis is a hard sport, and it takes time. We’ll have to make the most out of every minute.”
The Medford boys tennis team is coming off a 7-7 season, placing fourth in the Greater Boston League standings last year. Earning the 25th and final seed in the MIAA Division 1 bracket, the Mustangs were bumped off by Durfee 4-1 in preliminary round action. Despite losing their first singles player, as well as some doubles partners, the team appears ready for a fresh start.
“I think our lineup will be better this year than last,” said Hendrickson.
Leading the way for the Mustangs is senior Sarvesh Maharjan. An experienced letterman, Maharjan appears slated for third singles action.
“Sarvesh played on the team last year, worked hard and improved a lot,” said Hendrickson. “He’s serious about tennis and willing to work. Hopefully, he can lead by example in those ways.”
He fronts an impressive cast of young guns, including Micah Cherakaleth and Zach Travers. Just a freshman, Cherakaleth was the team’s most successful player as an eighth-grade third singles player a year ago. A junior, Travers is another seasoned second singles player, looking to improve on his solid sophomore season.
“We haven't figured out the lineup yet,” said Hendrickson. “But those two will both be at the top at first and second singles.”
Newcomers like sophomore Nathanial Burns have also made serious strides to win the first doubles job. The quartet fronts a large cast of newcomers that continued to show tremendous progress. The coach also enlisted some middle-schoolers to add to their once dwindling numbers.
“They’re not going to play this year I don’t think,” he said. “But they’ll be great practice players and they’ll learn my coaching style. I hope that’ll be good for the future of our program.”
Having an Ace up their sleeves
The All Court Enrichment summer program has served as the prefect feeder system to rebuild from.
The origins of the ACE program can be traced back to Hendrickson’s years working with the Somerville Rec. Department.
“During the aftermath of the pandemic there was a lack of programing initially,” said Hendrickson. “I was doing tennis lessons in the park, and one of the parents suggested I run a summer program. It went great the first two years, then we moved it over to Medford, where I coincidentally became the Medford High tennis coach.”
The ACE program features unlimited scholarships, with 70 percent of kids attending for free. The non-profit has worked brilliantly as a farm system for the Mustangs as they continue to rebuild from within.
“The idea is that it would be a pipeline from the summer program into the high school team," said Hendrickson, who went from 15-20 kids initially to 130 this summer. “We continue to grow the program in Medford. These kids are getting older. They continue to enjoy it and therefore are now excited to be playing high school tennis.”
Life in the Greater Boston League courts will always be a battle, and this year will be no exception. Somerville and arch-rivals Malden appear to be among the top teams to beat. But the coach remains optimistic about his team’s chances.
“The GBL looks winnable,” said Hendrickson. “We’ll probably be the third best team, but could be a threat if our kids improve quickly.”
One thing is for sure, the Mustangs can’t wait to get started.
For more information on the All Court Enrichment (ACE) Program visit: www.allcourtenrichment.org.
Medford High School boys tennis schedule
Date Opponent Time
4/7 vs Bedford 4 p.m.
4/8 @Boston Latin 4 P.M.
4/13 vs Everett 4 p.m.
4/15 @ Lynn English 4 p.m.
4/17 @ Lynn Classical 4 p.m.
4/22 @ Somerville 5 p.m.
4/24 vs Revere 10 a.m.
4/27 @ Malden 4 p.m.
4/29 @ Everett 4 p.m.
5/4 vs Lynn Classical 4 p.m.
5/8 vs Somerville 4 p.m.
5/11 @ Revere 4:15 p.m.
5/13 @ Malden 4 p.m.
All home games played at Dugger Park.
