H-K’s Volpicelli wins SLC

Haddam-Killingworth’s Giacomo Volpicelli defeated Saba Cecunjanin of Old Saybrook 6-4, 6-4 to win the Shoreline Conference boys tennis title Friday at Lyme Shores Tennis Center in East Lyme.

Volpicelli defeated Valley Regional’s Jeff Riggio 6-0, 6-2 to advance to the final.

Both players went into the finals undefeated in Conference play. Cecunjanin was 16-0 and Volpicelli 19-0 entering the final.

In the final, Volpicelli jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first set, breaking Cecunjanin’s serve, but Cecunjanin recovered to close the gap to 3-4. Volpicelli’s powerful, penetrating ground strokes proved the difference as he took the first set 6-4.

The second set started out similar with Volpicelli running out to a 3-0 lead. Cecunjanin found a new focus to draw even at 3-3, but Volpicelli won the next two points en route to the 6-4, 6-4 win.

“I believe this is a first at H-K,” HK coach Rod Pakus said in an email. “I don’t remember any of our players being undefeated and winning the Shoreline Conference Singles Title as a freshman. And we have had some really talented players go through our tennis program over the years. As he grows and gets stronger, Giacomo will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come.”

Girls’ tennis

Qualifying Round Class L Mercy 4, Hamden 3 Singles: Vidhyanath Maran (H) def. Molly Garcia (M) 6-0, 6-0; Katie Esposito (H) def. Juliette Piazza (M) 6-1, 6-1; Lorenza Inserra (M) def. Ava Albis (H) 6-3, 6-1; Katie Schumann (M) def. Janaya Laude (H) 6-2, 6-2 Doubles: Kathryn Hanly/ Kate Hall (M) def. Sophie Coascin/Jasmine Jimenez (H) 6-0, 6-1; Julia Wenceslao/ Katie Doughtery (M) def. Sophia Flanders/Emily Lancot (H) 6-1, 6-2; Julia Pitruzello/ Isabella Iorio (M) def. Aria Ahmed/Maia Radcliffe (H) 6-1, 6-0 Note: Mercy plays at Glastonbury today at 11 a.m.

Girls golf

East Catholic 187, Middletown 210 Medalist: Katelyn Jyikka 38 Middletown: Kelsey Culup 50; Rachel Gaudreau 55; Lily Doan 60; Logan Frame 45 East Catholic: Katelyn Jyikka 38; Meghan Faulkner 43; Liz Machon 53; Caroline Brennan 53