Sports
School Board Honors Tolland High Tennis Champions
Juniors Eric Venezia and Dylan Roman captured the state Class M championship in tennis doubles this year, a first in tennis titles for the high school.
Tolland High School juniors Eric Venezia and Dylan Roman commanded the tennis court this spring and were rewarded for their efforts at home Wednesday night.
During their meeting at the Hicks Memorial Municipal Center, school officials honored Venezia and Roman for winning the Class M State Tournament in boys tennis doubles. The in tennis is a first for the school.
Board of Education members congratulated the two and presented the athletes, as well as coach David Chassanoff, with a plaque to recognize the achievement.
Find out what's happening in Tollandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“They really were giant killers,” Chassanoff said to the board and assembled residents. “They’re a very good example of hard work on the tennis court.”
Venezia and Roman dominated at the state tournament earlier this month, beating out technically proficient teams like the number one seeded Stonington team. The boys then defeated the Avon team in the finals, after coming back from a 5-2 opening set.
Find out what's happening in Tollandwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
“They’re the first to admit, they have a little bit of an unorthodox style,” Chassanoff said, explaining that as soccer players the boys have great footwork but can lack in technical skill.
Roman, however, was able to explain how he and Venezia captured the win.
“We fit each other’s game perfectly,” he said. “We refuse to lose.”
As for next year, Chassanoff hints that the pair may be split up to boost the team’s singles matches.
“We think we’re going to be successful,” he said.
