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Family matters: Tennis in Cianciola’s genes
By Greg Gulas
CANFIELD
The Division I state tennis tournament begins today in Mason with Canfield’s Tim Cianciola set to take on Saiprakash Goli of Mason in first-round action at 9 a.m. at the Lindner Family Tennis Center.
A junior, Ciancola will be making his second trip to state — he qualified as a freshman in 2015 along with doubles partner Bobby Long — as he looks to duplicate sisters Hannah and Syndey’s state crown for the school.
Hannah, a senior and four-time state qualifier and Sydney, a sophomore, won the Division I girls state doubles championship last fall when they defeated Anne and Maria Zivick of Green in October, 6-4, 6-3.
Cianciola finished fifth out of six Northeast district qualifiers while Goli was tops of the four Southwest district entries.
“We have a very competitive family when it comes to tennis and it’s really exciting for me this year because I am the first to qualify for state in singles,” Cianciola said. “I just need to stay focused because that helps me maintain my confidence level.”
A three-time defending All-American Conference Player of the Year, Cianciola’s first state experience as a freshman resulted in a 6-4, 6-2 first-round loss which according to head coach Pat Pavlansky, was well-played and competitive despite the outcome.
“The Northeast district qualifies six players, is highly competitive and while players are extremely talented at the state level, Tim has already gone up against some of the very best talent and won,” Pavlansky said. “It will be neat to see him go up against that talent. As long as he looks at it as an opportunity and not a threatening situation, then he should do well.”
Cianciola was 14-2 this season and is 46-16 in three varsity seasons.
He’s been a part of three consecutive league titles, all under Pavlansky and added to the 27 league crowns that former coach Larry Davis produced in his 37 years at the helm, the Cardinals’ net juggernaut has produced 30 conference titles in 40 years of play.
“Larry Davis made this program very special, starting when there were no courts on which to play and they had to use the parking lot in order to practice,” Pavlansky said. “The players want to do well because of the rich tradition that Larry helped build. Plus, the community cares and it’s a lot of fun for everyone.”
To fully understand Cianciola’s meteoric rise — he started at No. 2 singles as a freshman but midway through the season, moved up to No. 1 and has been in that slot ever since — you have to fully appreciate his athletic lineage.
Cianciola’s mother, local tennis professional Susan and aunt Stephanie [Brandt] were tennis standouts in the Big East Conference during their playing days at Syracuse. They continue to dispense some of the very best instruction a player can receive.
Cianciola’s grandfather and grandmother, former Youngstown State men’s basketball coach Mike Rice and wife Kathy, are former basketball standouts at Duquesne University who for years, have played competitively. Uncle Mike, Jr. was a basketball star at Fordham and the head hoops coach at both Robert Morris and Rutgers.
“All of the grandkids love competing against one another and over the years, our family vacations have produced some of the most competitive tennis tournaments around,” said Mike Rice Sr., the former Penguins head coach and Portland Trailblazers color analyst. “Tim is a kid whose development started slow, but he has come on of late and it will be interesting to see how he does this year at state. With his sisters having already won a state championship, the challenge has already been issued so he doesn’t need any more motivation.”
Pavlansky echoed Cianciola’s grandfather’s assessment of his 6-foot-4 star.
“Tim is a tall drink of water who is still learning how to play the game. He’s a very hard worker who has sprouted up since last year while still growing into his body,” Pavlansky said.
Cianciola’s mother is considered one of the area’s top area tennis professionals, having mentored more than 50 boys and girls individual state qualifiers from a multitude of schools. She has also produced a handful of individual and doubles champions and believes her son can be a force this weekend at state.
“Of everyone in our family, Timmy loves tennis the most and right now is playing the best that he has ever played,” his mother said. “He has confidence and all of the tools necessary to win state, if he believes that he can do so.”
The key will be taking advantage of his opportunities.
“Coach Pavlansky has helped me with the mental aspect and stresses to everyone to stay on top of everything without letting anything slip by,” Cianciola said. “As a freshman, I was nervous and intense but now I feel more experienced and not as overwhelmed. I know what to expect now from this level of competition.”
Through past USTA tournaments, he has also had a chance to watch Goli in action.
“He has a lot of toss spin so I’ll need to be consistent in my ground strokes,” Cianciola said. “I’m looking forward to playing him.”