With junior Andy Urbanak of Cornwall VT, missing most of the season due to a shoulder injury, the men’s tennis team has been carried by a trio of freshmen. Each member of the triumvirate has stepped up his game and the group has given the Huskies a legitimate shot at winning the Little East Championship (LEC).
The Huskies are currently 10-6 overall (3-1 in Little East Play) and with the underclassmen makeup of this team, their record might be surprising to some but not to assistant coach Wayne St. Peter. “It’s about what I expected; I knew we could contend for the Little East Championship,” said St. Peter.
Even more surprising is that the Huskies have been led by three freshmen: Craig Spann and twin brothers Chris and Justin Chaffee.
“I knew that all three players were strong, gutsy players who hated losing more than they liked winning and that’s why we recruited them,” said St. Peter.
Craig Spann of Redding CT, has been the Huskies most consistent player so far this season. Spann has a 10-3 singles record and is 7-6 in doubles. Spann has a well-rounded game and can beat opponents in a number of different ways.
“He’s one of the best athletes on the team and his net game is very strong,” said St. Peter. Spann knew when the season began that he would have to play well if the team was going to be successful. “I expected that I would have to step up and play well for the team,” said Spann.
Twin brothers Chris and Justin Chaffee of Fryeburg ME, have also stepped up for the Huskies. The Chaffees started playing tennis when they were about five and have played many matches against each other over the years. “We played a lot of matches against each other in finals of tournaments when we were 16 and 17 years old. It was hard for the loser to take sometimes but we got over it,” said Chris Chaffee.
According to their coach the twins play similar styles of tennis. “Both are predominantly baseline players but their net games are improving,” said St. Peter.
Justin Chaffee has an 8-5 singles record and is 7-6 in doubles and has been named LEC Rookie of the Week twice this season. “Winning Rookie of the Week was good for my confidence. Freshman year you just want to play well. Winning that award was a nice bonus,” said Justin Chaffee.
Chris Chaffee is 9-4 in singles matches and 7-6 in doubles. Chaffee has been consistent throughout the season. Chris Chaffee said that he hopes to meet up with Western Connecticut in the LEC Playoffs. Western Connecticut defeated the Huskies earlier this season and Chaffee wants a chance at revenge. “We’re gunning for Western Connecticut, they beat us and that makes us want it even more,” said Chris Chaffee.
The Huskies have two matches remaining before the LEC Championships begin on May 7 at Deering Oaks in Portland.
Kevin Moran can be contacted at [email protected]