Thursday, May 28, 2015
Canfield doubles duo Cianciola, Long and Lakeview’s Teffner to play at OSU
Bobby Long and Timmy Cianciola have no idea how good they can be as a doubles team.
After only a few weeks as playing partners, how could they?
Long, a sophomore, and Cianciola, a freshman, played in the top two singles spots for the Canfield High School boys tennis team this season. But when the time came to prepare for the Division I state tournament, it only made sense for the team’s two best players to team up together.
“They really are alike in more ways than one,” first-year Canfield boys tennis coach Pat Pavlansky said.
For starters, they’re both very young. Cianciola is tall for a 15-year-old, but still has a baby face. Long is a year ahead of his partner in school, but the same age as Cianciola.
“Being younger than everyone just motivates you even more, because it kind of gives you a chip on your shoulder,” Long said. “You’re playing older guys who have been there before and you’re trying to go to the same place they’ve already been.
“The competition is definitely good.”
The duo qualified for the state tournament by finishing fourth in their district. They made it to district play by finishing fourth in their sectional. A fourth-place finish in Columbus this weekend would be happily welcomed by all involved.
“I think it was really good for them to get away, spend the night hanging out together and bond more than anything else,” Pavlansky said of their experience at the district tournament at Oberlin College.
“Their best tennis is ahead of them, for sure.”
Long, whose parents are from China, was the Cardinals’ No. 1 singles player for most of the year. That was until Cianciola, who was playing No. 2 singles, challenged him for the top spot.
The freshman overtook the sophomore mid-way through the season, but both battled all year for who would face the opponent’s top player.
Now, together, they have the challenge of taking on the state’s best. Their first-round opponents will be senior Nick Blair and sophomore Graeme Green of New Albany High School.
“The thing about them being young is that they don’t have to hold back at all or be intimidated by anybody else out there hitting the tennis ball at them,” Pavlansky said. “They’ve played against kids who can really hit the ball and they’ve held their own.
“It’s just a matter of being consistent. Consistency will make you extremely good. Not just good, extremely good.”
The duo said their excitement level was fairly high as they made final preparations to leave for Columbus. For two teenagers, it could even be comparable to the feeling of a first date.
“Timmy gets the ladies a lot,” Long joked.
“It’s close,” Cianciola said with a smile.
COMING IN WITH CONFIDENCE
Lakeview High School junior Zach Teffner has been to Columbus for the state tennis tournament many times as a spectator.
On Friday, he’ll make his first appearance as a participant in the Division II singles tournament.
“I’m actually really excited to be able to play on Ohio State’s courts,” Teffner said. “Having been there before to watch, I know exactly how the drill’s gonna go.”
The actual match will be a mystery until he steps out on the court to face is first-round opponent, Asher Hirsch, of Cincinnati Country Day.
“His confidence grew every match this season,” Lakeview coach Stephanie Hickey said. “He’s won 16 in a row and his confidence is riding really high.”
Teffner had always played No. 2 singles for the Bulldogs prior to this season. Now he’ll be facing the southwest district’s top-seeded player.
“During the regular season I feel like I’ve performed well enough,” Teffner said. “I can walk in knowing I can beat these kids and I have a chance.”