Canfield doubles duo, Lakeview’s Teffner earn state tennis bids

May 24, 2015 at 12:05a.m.

Canfield High School has another Cianciola heading to the state tennis tournament.

Freshman Timothy, along with doubles partner Bobby Long, placed fourth in Saturday’s Division I district tennis tournament at Oberlin College, qualifying for the state draw next weekend in Columbus.

Timothy’s sister, Hannah, is a two-time state tournament doubles qualifier with partner Ashley Kaleel.

The duo was the fourth seed coming out of the Canton sectional, meaning they drew the winners of another section. However, Cianciola and Long, a sophomore, took care of top-seeded Nam Le and Vlad Rotnov of Solon, 6-2, 6-4, in the opening round of district play.

They then beat Connor Evans and Anthony Rozum of Walsh Jesuit, 6-3, 6-3, to reach the semifinals.

It wasn’t until there that they fell to Cal Craven and Connor Michelich of Westlake, 6-4, 6-2, who were the top seeds from the Oberlin section. In the third-place match, Jake Zalenski and Anthony Kanam topped the Canfield team, 6-1, 6-3.

The top six finishers in the district tournament earn a trip to Columbus, meaning the Cardinals’ duo will make their first trip on Friday.

Joining them will be Lakeview High School junior Zach Teffner, who earned a state tournament berth by placing fourth in the Division II district tournament in Canton.

Teffner was the top seed coming out of his section, and cruised past first-round opponent David Miron of Orange, 6-0, 6-2. However, he was tested in the next round by Brock Ebersole of Geneva.

Teffner needed three sets to knock off Ebersole, 6-3, 5-7, 6-3.

In the semifinals, Teffner met his match in top-seeded David Buchinsky of University School. He swept Teffner 6-1, 6-0.

The Bulldog junior then fell in the third place match 6-4, 6-0 to Alec Bird of Central Catholic.

State tournament action begins at the Ohio State University Outdoor Varsity Tennis Courts on Friday at 9 a.m., with Division I singles, followed by Division II singles. Doubles will follow both.

Day two action will begin on Saturday at 9 a.m.