Senior Sean Kelly what were your expectations going into the season?
Our expectations going into this season were as high as they were for any other season. We are all about working hard and playing harder. We all knew we had to step up this season since eight players graduated last year. We weren’t going to be handed the championship trophy, we had to earn it. Rain or shine we practiced everyday. Even when it snowed we were out there doing drills and working on skills. It was our year and we all knew that, nothing was going to stop us.

Which team did you feel was going to be the most challenging?
Chaminade is and always will be our biggest competition. They defeated us 5 years in a row in the championship and I was on the team for 3 of those years. Our rivalry is unmatched, anytime we play them the atmosphere is always intense. They’re a tough team to play, a lot of their players are born with a racquet in their hands and they are all very skilled tennis players. Our style of play is a lot different than theirs however. St. Anthony’s tennis is unlike anything out there. We all play with unmatched intensity, constantly getting each other pumped up and getting very vocal. I think it was a lot for Chaminade to handle, we never backed down and were constantly in their faces.

As the only senior what did you feel you could share with your teammates to keep them focused?
It was a lot of work being the only senior on the team and trying to keep the other guys focused and keep their momentum up. I told the other guys that no matter what happens during the season, it all comes down to that final championship match against Chaminade. They can beat us 9 matches out of 10 but as long as we can overcome them 1 time that's all that matters. I think this really got them focused on winning the championship and not getting to down on themselves during the regular season where we lost to Chaminade twice. Staying focused and taking it one match at a time was key to our victory.

What are the expectations for the individual and double rounds.
Our expectations were the same for the individual and double rounds. We wanted to show the league that we truly are the best tennis team in the league this year. Three of our doubles teams made All-League in the tournament and that just continues to show how dominant we were this season.

Describe the feeling of winning the League Champs?
Unbelievable. That's how it feels. After being on varsity and making it to the championship the past 3 years and losing in each one it was amazing to finally get that victory. Right before the championship I told the guys that there is one outcome to each and every match today. Everyone is getting carried off of the court. You’re either getting carried off of the court because you won, or you’re you’re getting carried off of the court because your legs don't work anymore. We all left everything we had out on the court that day, we gave it our all. We wanted it more than any other team and we went out and played our hearts out. And finally all that hard work, all of those freezing cold practices payed off.

Senior Sean Kelly has been part of the varsity squad for three years and will heading to Stony Brook in the fall.

Starts Monday March 5th, Tuesday and Wednesday All Grades

Monday Meet @2:50pm in Breezway (in front of church) to walk over to courts

Have proper tennis and weather attire (tennis sneakers, shorts with pockets, racket)