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Sister act: Cianciolas look to make a run at state
By JOHN HARRIS
CANFIELD
Canfield sophomore Sydney Cianciola needed a year of seasoning before she was paired with older sister Hannah to lead Canfield’s successful doubles team into the Division I girls state tournament.
“It’s a good opportunity,” said Sydney, who didn’t play doubles with her sister last year.
The Cianciola sisters rolled through sectionals and districts to mark the fourth consecutive year the Cardinals have advanced to state, winning three district matchups without losing a game and defeating Green 6-1, 6-2 in the district final. They play their opening match Friday at the Linder Tennis Center in Mason.
Canfield coach Rob Stephens believes the addition of Sydney this year and the chemistry developed with her older sister enhances the Cardinals’ chances of advancing to the second round following three straight first-round exits.
“We’ve gone down there and haven’t been able to make it to the second day. This year, they have a better shot. If they play the way they’ve been playing, they’re going to be tough,” Stephens said.
“When you’re in that second day, you’re in the top four. You’ve got a 25-percent chance to be state champs. To go through three of four rounds in districts and not lose a game or set, it shows they’re playing their best tennis right now.”
This makes four state doubles appearances in a row for Hannah, who credits Sydney for boosting her confidence.
“She’s strong with her serves and ground strokes. Her net game really surprised me,” Hannah said. “I became a lot more aggressive at the net. That helps with her serve game.
“I’m definitely more confident and relaxed. I don’t think I’m going to be as nervous. It’s senior year. I’m going out with everything I have.”
That includes encouraging her younger sister and offering tough love that only a family member can provide.
Hannah stressed that it’s important to know when to push the right buttons.
“It’s kind of hard sometimes not to get mad at her,” Hannah said with a smile. “In practice when I say, `It’s OK,’ she’s like annoyed. I try to boost her up at big points and during the match she pulls it together. She knows what she should do, but sometimes she needs a little reminder.”
Said Sydney: “We’re close on the count and off the court. We don’t fight that much. When we’re down, we pull each other up. She’s been to state three more times (than Sydney). She has experience. When I miss, she’ll help me.”
Stephens appreciates how the sisters work in tandem on the court.
“They’ve been playing together since they were young. They know each others’ games,” he said. “Any time you can be cool with your partner, that makes for a good team. You’ve got that younger player with her older sister.
“The older sister runs it, but they work together.”