Team looks to capture their fourth consecutive GNAC Championship

Jeremy Hayes
Journal Staff

So much for a down year. The defending champion Suffolk men’s tennis team went into this year losing some crucial starters, but they remain perfect halfway through this season. At the mid season mark, the Rams have proven why they are the best and still the top team to beat with a 7-0 record.
The Rams have proven to be the dominant team in their conference, and the biggest question is whether or not they will finish with a perfect record.
With only one more conference game left, Suffolk looks like they will be able to easily compete in their Great Northeast Athletic Conference postseason. Suffolk has had only one close call against UMass Boston, pulling out a 5-4 victory on April 5.
On Saturday, Suffolk defeated Norwich 7-2 and the team won all of their doubles to cap off a solid victory. After that trip to Vermont, the Rams came back home to face Salem State on Monday, and they defeated the Vikings 8-1.
All of the players on the team have contributed to the team’s success so far this season. Sophomore Albert Buruga is 5-0 overall in singles play, and sophomore Vassili Stroganov and senior Harlan Strader are both 4-0.  Sophomore Aaron Lau is 4-1 in singles play so far this season.
In doubles play action, Buruga and Strader are 3-1 overall, and Lau and senior Christopher Staley are 2-0 overall.
Head Coach Steve Counihan has had the team prepared in all of their matches this season, and it looks like they have more than enough potential to capture their fourth consecutive championship.
Suffolk takes on Bridgewater State University Thursday, and then they head to Rhode Island Saturday to face off against Johnson & Wales. The team only has five regular season matches left, and three of them are at home.