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Division I State tennis Canfield pair continues perfect run
By Greg Gulas
CANFIELD
When Hannah Cianciola and Ashley Kaleel take to the court Friday to begin play in this year’s Division I girls state tennis tournament, it will mark the third consecutive year that the doubles team has qualified for their sports ultimate stage.
It’s also the second straight year they they’ll enter the tourney as a top seed and as one of four No. 1 seeds, they hope to become the Cardinals’ first state doubles champions since Rachel McGowan and Renee Lesnett accomplished the feat in 2004.
Cianciola, a junior and Kaleel, a senior, were major contributors to this year’s 20-1 overall team mark as Cianciola posted a 19-2 singles mark at No. 1 and Kaleel an 18-1 ledger at the No. 2 slot.
They also helped the team to an unblemished 12-0 league mark en-route to the All-American Conference, Red Tier championship —a trophy they have owned since the 2009 campaign.
“It’s a very special feeling and I’m really excited to be heading back to the state tournament with Ashley,” Cianciola, the 2014 All-American Conference Player of the Year, said. “To return to state with the same doubles partner three consecutive years is truly amazing. I enjoy playing with her as we’ve gotten to know each other’s moves on the court. From the moment we hit the court we must keep our focus and maintain confidence, knowing that we can win if we play it one shot at a time.”
Both Cianciola and Kaleel breezed through sectionals and districts, posting perfect 4-0 marks in each tourney.
“If we stay consistent, keep the ball in play and set each other up, then we should do well,” Kaleel said. “We want to make it to the second day with the overall goal to win it all. To make it to the state three straight years, especially with the same partner is a really awesome feeling. We’ve become really close as friends and joke around a lot. We’ll keep the joking to a minimum this weekend while hoping to make a lot of memories.”
Canfield coach Rob Stephens, currently in his eighth season as head coach, has a 146-15 overall mark and is perfect (70-0) in conference play since taking over the helm.
His first Cardinals team captured the 2008 Metro Athletic Conference title while his last seven squads have been All-American Conference champions.
Like his doubles team, he’s also looking forward to this year’s competition.
“They are peaking at the right time. Rarely do you see a doubles team lose less games in the semi-finals and finals of districts than in the first two rounds,” Stephens noted. “Their communication with each other is getting better and better with each match that they play, it was really fun for everyone to watch how well they played last week at districts.”
Stephens added that both Cianciola and Kaleel have taken added steps to ensure a deep tournament run.
“Last year they were upset in the first round at state in a hard fought, three-set match that came down to just a few points. I’m sure they are looking to make up for last year,” Stephens said. “Their different strengths make them a really great duo. Between Hannah’s great groundstrokes and serves and Ashley’s incredible hands and defensive ability, I look forward to them doing great things at the state tournament this year.”
Cianciola and Kaleel will take on Maggie Skwara and Helen Sotropa of the Cincinnati Sycamore Aviators on Friday morning at Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason.