Published: May 08, 2008 11:38 pm            

BOYS TENNIS: Ventresca a quick study for Niagara Falls

The saying goes that some things happen for a reason. Curt Ventresca getting cut from the junior varsity baseball team in 10th grade was a prime example.

Ventresca and his buddy, Matt Thompson, both failed to make the Niagara Falls JV, so they were looking for something to do during the spring. They decided to give tennis a try, this despite Ventresca never even owning a racquet before.

“I had a couple friends that played, so I thought I’d give it a try,” he said.

That first year was a struggle for the then-sophomore as he characterized his play as “bad” while learning the game on JV. But over the following winter, Ventresca decided to dedicate more time to the sport as he and Thompson were fixtures at Sportsplex in North Tonawanda.

When he returned for his junior season, then-assistant coach and current head coach Joe Sarkees saw a huge difference.

“I remember being surprised at how much he had improved,” Sarkees said. “We expected for him to need another year on the JV, but it was clear he was ready for varsity.”

Ventresca assumed the No. 3 singles position and took off, going 13-1 and making quite an impression on the rest of the Niagara Frontier League.

Naturally, though, he did so quietly.

“He’s an all-around good kid — he’s captain of the soccer team, in the Honor Society and on the honor roll,” Sarkees said. “He lets his actions speak for himself.”

On the court, Ventresca uses his speed to frustrate opponents, according to Sarkees.

“It takes three or four winners to get it past him,” the coach said.

During this, his senior year, Ventresca moved into the No. 1 singles spot and has performed admirably against top competition despite his limited experience. He’s currently sitting at .500 on the season at first singles.

“This year all the matches have been tough, but I’m hanging in there,” he said. “I try to hit it harder and make them move more. You can’t play as defensive at first singles.”

For the NFLs and sectionals, Ventresca plans to team up with 6-foot-7 Eric Spanbauer to play doubles. The duo has practiced together recently and their contrasting styles seemed to fit one another perfectly.

“I think they’ll be a very formidable team,” Sarkees said.

Ventresca agreed.

“We think we’ve got a chance to maybe qualify for states if he just stays around the net and I run around,” Ventresca said.

Ventresca plans to attend Niagara University next fall and is considering a tryout for the men’s tennis squad.

Contact reporter Nate Beutel at 282-2311, ext. 2262.

        

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