Vandy wins bragging rights, again

Whether in movies or sports, sequels are rarely as good as the original.

But the rematch between Vandebilt Catholic’s Jacob Richard and Nicholas Calerti versus Jake Clements and Michael Thompson for the boys’ doubles state title last week was far more impressive than their straight sets win at April 28’s regional competition.

Richard and Calerti swept their teammates at regionals, but at the state finals last Tuesday they needed over two hours and three sets for the 6-1, 4-6, 6-3 victory.

“It feels great to get the state doubles title as freshmen,” Richard said. “It feels better knowing we excelled from last year when we made it to the semis as 8th graders.”

It was one of two victories that helped Vandebilt Catholic claim their second consecutive Division II boys’ and girls’ tennis crowns at the Renaissance Health and Racquet Club.

In the other Terriers’ victory, sophomore Jessica Bourque and senior Julie Cronan quickly dispensed of fellow teammates Alexandra and Sarah Bourgeois 6-1, 6-1 for the girls’ doubles title.

“Countless hours of hard work went into that win,” Cronan said. “It was nice to see all the hard work pay off. This was so much fun.”

The Terriers claimed the boys’ crown on the first day, compiling 11 of their 15 points. Morgan City High placed second with five points, and St. Michael and Leesville high schools tied for third with 4 points.

On the girls’ side, Vandebilt scored 12 points, followed by Neville with 7 and St. Michael third with 6 points.

“Each title feels better than the one before,” said 19-year Vandebilt tennis coach Kevin Ramirez upon winning his sixth and seventh state championships.

“I’m kind of speechless,” he added. “Only two teams from this region sent players to the state tournament. That was Morgan City and us. So when we finish first and Morgan City finishes second on the boys’ side, that says a lot about the strength of the players we have.”

Vandebilt players comprised six of the eight finalist spots, including all four doubles teams. The Terriers were state runner-up in singles competition.

Defending state boys’ singles champion Matt Spence could not hold a one-set lead and was defeated by Leesville’s Terrance Navarro 3-6, 6-4, 6-2.

Neville’s Sidney Bruscato won back-to-back girls’ singles titles by beating Vandebilt sophomore Emma Pitre 6-3, 6-2.

After easily winning the first set, Richard and Calerti, both 15, looked to put away the match. But Clements and Thompson got more aggressive at the net and forced their opponents into bad shots to win the second set.

Clements, an 18-year-old senior, fought off cramping in his forearm and calves throughout the second and third sets.

“I felt it on one serve when I jumped up. It shot through my calves to my right arm.” He said. “After that my forearm was OK, but my calves were killing me.”

“When Jake’s forearm cramped up, I think that was the end,” Ramirez said.

Fatigue started to set in for Clements and Thompson, as well. Richard and Calerti’s groundstrokes overwhelmed the duo in the 6-3 final set clincher.

It was a gratifying win for Richard and Calerti – a 180-degree turnaround this season.

“Last year, I was the better baseline hitter and he had better volleys,” Richard said. “But this year, it’s been the complete opposite, but it still worked out.”

Bourque and Cronan had no such troubles on the girls’ side, only dropping five games in the tournament.

For Bourque, 15, it was her second straight state championship, winning in 2008 with older sister Ruth. They were state runners-up in 2007.

“It was nice playing with another partner, but it was hard getting used to her because I was used to knowing what my sister would do,” Bourque said. “Julie did awesome. I’m very proud of her.”

For Cronan, it was her first state title. The 18-year-old said going out a champion is the best way to end her high school career.

“I’ve learned a lot about myself and working with other people,” she said. “I’ve improved so much because of Coach Kevin. It’s nice to end like this.”

Ironically, Cronan and Alexandra Bourgeois were doubles partners the first half of the season. Ramirez made the switch to give Vandebilt the best chance to maximize points at the regional and state tournaments.

In the boys’ singles finals, exhaustion finally caught up with Spence. After winning the first set and leading 4-3 in the second, he hit the proverbial wall. Navarro increased the level and tempo of the match for the victory.

“I was frustrated because I was so close to winning,” a weary Spence said afterward. “My serve wasn’t cooperating. I’m just so tired.”

The 16-year-old sophomore struggled through most of the tournament. In Monday’s round against Neville High’s Ben Blanchard, Spence trailed 0-4 in the first set before a five-hour rain delay suspended play. He was able to regroup and win the match, but he suffered cramps in his next match that day.

“When you get cramps at 5 or 6 in the afternoon, they don’t just go away,” Ramirez explained. “Matt played four matches in less than 24 hours.”

Spence said his unexpected loss will drive him even harder next year to regain the state championship.

“I just need to get out on the court and practice more,” he said. “I expect to be back, do my best and see what happens.”

In the meantime, Pitre, 15, survived a tough girls’ singles semifinal with Leesville’s Amy Williams where she trailed most of the third set until winning three of the final four games to advance 6-1, 4-6, 7-6.

In the title match, Pitre was dominated by Bruscato, whom the U.S. Tennis Association ranks in Louisiana’s top 5 and the 93rd in the South in the girls’ under 18 division.

“It was my first finals appearance, so I’m excited about that,” Pitre said. “I’m only a sophomore.”

Ramirez broke down in tears after the awards were handed out as he expressed his gratitude to his players and their families on another successful season. He said as great as all his previous years at Vandebilt have been, the 2009 season was special.

“This was a phenomenal year,” Ramirez said. “I can’t think of a year when things went as smoothly – no internal team issues, incredible cooperation with the school administration and the parents.”

He added, “I told (the players) every day that I love them and I meant it. If everybody’s job was like mine, no one would complain about work.”

Ramirez shifted gears afterward, reminding everyone that work for the 2010 championship would begin the next day. But his young pupils did not seem to mind.

“There’s no days off in tennis,” he said. “One of my favorite quotes, ‘There’s no traffic jam on the extra mile.’ The kids that go the extra mile, it shows in the results.

“I got players on the Blue Team ready to step up and players on the Gold Team that didn’t make regionals who are going to work their backsides off,” he added. “If you’re not hungry, this is not the sport to be in.”

Vandebilt Catholic High’s Philip McMahon (with towel over shoulder) shares the Cass 4A boys’ state tennis championship trophy with Terrier teammate Jake Clements (holding trophy).