The Kingsway Boys Tennis team concluded their spring season with a 13-3 record, a five-game win-streak in May, a fourth consecutive Tri-County Royal Division title, and a third consecutive Gloucester County championship title with a chance to advance in the playoffs.

However, their season came to an end against Lenape in the quarterfinal round of the NJSIAA tournament. It was a hard-fought effort despite the 3 – 2 loss. Nick Tanzola won the 3rd singles match in two sets by scores of 6-2 and 6-3. David Glanfield and Gavin Springer won the 1st doubles in two sets by scores of 6-4 and 6-0. 

According to senior Andrew Sheldon, a member of the team throughout his entire high school career, the team had outstanding players all year. “Our key players were first singles Michael Parker, second singles Kyle Kirwin, third singles Nick Tanzola, and first doubles Gavin Springer and David Glanfield. They performed well, Nick Tanzola went undefeated as a 3rd singles,  while both Michael and Kyle won a majority of their matches. David and Gavin went undefeated as well”. 

Head coach Drew Laverty recounted the difficulties of the season. “The toughest part of this season was actually the offseason,” he said. “With the quarantine, it was difficult to keep in contact with the boys this season throughout the fall and winter months. We like our players to play all year round if they can and they really took it upon themselves to organize winter practices and training sessions that got them ready for the season in April.”

Laverty, anticipating the following tennis seasons, said, “We lose a couple of great seniors next year, but bring back a few varsity players that will serve as our core for next season. We have been on a great run from 2017 and I am looking forward to next spring in the hopes that we can keep rolling.”

With the COVID-19 pandemic retreating to levels seen before March of 2020, there undoubtedly will be greater chances for the players to improve and prepare for, perhaps, another year as champions. Regardless, it is clear that such a pandemic could not stifle the integrity of the boys’ tennis team, as evidenced by a 13-3 season and a recurrent year of championships.