Flight 1
Team: Towpath Tennis Center
Captain: Frank Licari
Players: Frank Licari, Mark Robeson, William Fox, Renier Soto, John Consilio, Craig Warner, Michael Terapane, Vince Cheverine, Mike Devine, Brad Sakowicz, Bryan Dudiwka, Chris Manby, Brian Piazza, Jeff Magistrelli, Ron Novak
Key Losses: Jason Dzik, David Maurer
Key Additions: William Fox, Ron Novak
Notes: The odds on favorite to take the Flight Championship, this history-laden club is loaded with current - and former! - 3.0 talent! Captain Frank, one of the winningest players in 3.0 history in his own right, welcomes back the star doubles tandem that is John and Craig, a tandem that helped lead their 55+ team to a coveted 2021 National Championship! And while the club looks to replace singles stalwarts Jason and David, they added doubles depth in William and Ron, the former a National Champion and the latter a two-time D.F.O. Player of the Year! With experience, depth, and a winning pedigree, look for Towpath to do what they do so well - hoist an invisible Flight Championship!
Key Question: How will they celebrate their Flight title? Because this team is absolutely loaded, especially if they can nail down a singles court!
Team: Springside Athletic Club
Captain: David Benson
Players: George Roth, David Benson, Jack Marsillo, Gregory Blatnik, Raymond Habel, Kyle Benson, Thomas Whitehead, Matthew Wachter, Stan Oda, Collin Trehan
Key Losses: Earl Hamlin, James Jones, Rick Jones
Notes: Springside looks to continue their steady path of 3.0 progress and will find such progress upon the racquet of one of the most experienced players around, George! Proficient in both singles and doubles, the 2021 Green Open Champion in singles can do it all! Add in Gregory, who enjoyed a 4-2 mark in doubles last season, Kyle, 3-3 in the same event, and the hard hitting Collin in singles, and SAC has the makings of a solid contending club!
Key Question: Where is George playing? As one of the best all-around players in Flight 1, his roster status will be key to SAC's success!
Team: Fairlawn Country Club
Captain: Michael Hardman
Players: Michael Hardman, Matt Marshall, Donald Albainy, Dustin Fox, Brian Fortney, Timothy Sheahan, Richard Patterson, John Chlebina, Mickey Remen, Douglas Leohr, Matt Kleinhenz
Key Losses: Tom Giltner
Notes: Few clubs have as consistent a team roster as FCC, and indeed, they return nine of their top 10 players from 2021. Timothy and Captain Michael look to lead the doubles teams while John should continue his play on the singles courts along with Douglas and Dustin. Now in year three for most of these 3.0ers, look for Fairlawn to be one of the most improved clubs on the circuit this season!
Key Question: How much will FCC improve? Now in year three for most of these 3.0ers, there could be dramatic on-court progress this season!
Team: Green Tennis Club
Captain: Rob Gonser
Players: Munir Ahmad, Rob Gonser, Jeff Scafaro, Mark Ludrosky, Elbert Enrique, David Ginnetti, T Bortz, Jeff Musselman, Darrin Buchanan, Robert Dale
Key Losses: Elbert Enrique, Neema Yonjan
Key Additions: Munir Ahmad
Notes: Green may have lost singles standout Neema but Captain Rob countered that by making the free agent signing of 2022 when he was able to get Munir to ink his contract to GTC, for in signing the versatile all-court player away from NCRC, they signed one of the premier singles players in the area! Add in Rob's own skills on the courts of doubles to the doubles acumen of T, Mark, and Jeff, Green has the 3.0 firepower necessary to make a trip to Green a tough one for visiting clubs!
Key Question: Where does Munir play? His lineup status will be key to Green's play in 2022!
Team: North Canton Racquet Club
Captains: Timothy Booher, Matthew Johnston
Players: Matthew Johnston, Timothy Booher, Randy Abrams, Jason Kabbara, Andy Baker, Mel Paulino, William Emley, Benjamin Young, Guy Cecchini, David Tates, Jaime Unklesby, Allan Lynch, Tim Hinchliffe, Tony Harley, Sunny Makey, Skip Dowd
Key Losses: Munir Ahmad, Sebastian Birceanu, Rex Degler, Edward Steigerwald
Key Additions: Mel Paulino
Notes: No team lost more players in this Flight than the boys from North Canton, and yet, if any club looks to challenge Towpath for flight supremacy, it's the boys from NCRC! Captain's Timothy and Matthew, champions at the 2022 Akron Open in doubles and vice-champions at the NTRP Championships, are one of the most formidable tag-teams around. Add in 3.0 veteran Benjamin, who can play both singles and doubles with equal aplomb, and NCRC has two strong 3.0 presences wielding the racquet o' tennis. The coup de grace, however, is the return of doubles standout Mel, who brings a vast array of league, tournament, playoff, and 3.5 experience to the courts. If one of the newly minted 3.0 rookies can emerge, NCRC could return to the playoffs yet again!
Key Question: Who do they line-up against Towpath? This team has the skill and depth necessary to go racquet-to-racquet with Flight favorites Towpath ... how strategic will Captain Timothy play it?!
Team: Paramount Tennis Club Medina
Captain: Phil Towne
Players: William Farr, Phil Towne, Bogdan Nicolae, Denny Huff, Dustin Carpenter, Roderick Yamat, John Richardson, David Gann, James Jones, Scott Nelson, Kenneth Fisher
Key Losses: Matt Hutchison, Patrick Renz, Paul Donald, Jonathan Glazer
Key Additions: William Farr, James Jones
Notes: Paramount Medina, who fought until the final week of the season for a playoff berth in 2021, lost approximately 73 feet of tennis with the departures of Matt and Patrick, but Captain Phil replaced their power with moxy with the signing of one of the most winningest players in 3.0 history, doubles specialist William. And it's in doubles where this team looks to bring the 3.0 heat, as Bogdan, Denny, Dustin, and David are some of the most accomplished doubles players around. Add in legendary Roderick, a top ten player in almost every category, and if Paramount can nail down their lineups, this could be a fun 3.0 team to watch come league time!
Key Question: Power or finesse? Does Towpath put the Twin Towers David and Bogdan on the same court while Roderick and Denny team up? Or does Captain Phil mix it up?!
Flight 2
Team: Chagrin Valley Athletic Club
Captain: Matt Greenberg
Players: Mike Carroll, Matt Greenberg, Steve Poe, Carl Parker, Orlando Dangond, Jeffrey Spencer, Mark Deeter, David Deeter, Adam Kohn, Brad Lucas
Key Losses: Mark Seifried, Jimmy Heiman, John Fenner
Key Additions: Matt Greenburg
Notes: One of the most storied clubs around has added one of the best players around in Matt, who looks to use his recent NTRP Championship title as a launching pad this season! With Matt and David on the singles courts, CVAC looks to have one of the strongest singles pairings in the Flight 2, and will look to the experience of Mike, Steve, and Orlando to help bring doubles depth to the squad!
Key Question: Who is playing doubles? With Matt and David, CVAC enjoys what most team's lack - strength at singles. So the question remains ... who steps up at doubles?!
Team: Mayfield Village Racquet Club
Captain: Robert Haught
Players: Robert Haught, Sangyoon Lee, Brandon Carrus, Roy Showman, Ravi Krishnan, John Olenik, Nicholas Fasola, Earl Beebe, Hyundong Cho, John Hernandez, Scott Limestoll, Ryan White, John Holzheimer, George Raguz, Anurag Gupta, Mike McManemy, Mark Casey, Kern Jolibois
Key Losses: None
Key Additions: Everyone!
Notes: While Mayfield isn't a new club, this group is a brand spanking new 3.0 team! But this isn't any normal expansion squad, for this roster is loaded with both singles and doubles talent! In singles, Brandon and Nicholas are two tournament tested players who bring some backcourt firepower while John brings years of doubles experience to the fray. Add in tennis teacher Earl and this club has all the elements - singles, doubles, and experience - needed to challenge each and every club each and every match day!
Key Question: Singles or doubles, which does Captain Robert focus on? Nicholas and Brandon are two great singles players, but also two great doubles players. WHAT TO DO?!
Team: Wembley Club
Captains: JP Ayyappan, Kyle Hulewat
Players: JP Ayyappan, Dino Rizza, Larry Dubin, John Fenner, Michael Henry, Andrew Burnight, Kyle Hulewat, Justin Wilcox, David Shisila, Kiyotaka Fukamachi
Key Losses: Patrick Tobler, Brandon Bailys, David Ries, David Sternberg
Key Additions: John Fenner
Notes: Few clubs lost as many key players as Wembley, who lost their four top players, but few clubs have a leader like JP, one of the most winningest captains in 3.0 history! Larry looks to continue his undefeated run in singles while the experience of JP and Kiyotaka should pair nicely with Michael's skills on the doubles courts. With JP at the helm, look for several Wembley players to see improvement in their games and their records despite the losses in personnel!
Key Question: Who plays singles? Captain JP, an amazing captain and teacher, will no doubt coach-up the doubles players, so now it's up to the singles players to step-up their game!
Team: Mayfield Village Racquet Club
Captain: RJ King
Players: RJ King, Michael Lynch, Christian King, Karl King, Jim King, John J King, Rick King, Matthew King, Phil King
Key Losses: Who knows, maybe a King or two? John T King? Maybe? Augie?
Key Additions: Michael Lynch ... who isn't a King?!
Notes: In their short two years on the 3.0 scene, the King's of Mayfield have made their presence felt, mostly because no one can tell a single one of them apart. And this year they've shocked the 3.0 public by adding a non-King to their roster. HUBBA-WHA?! One can only assume that Michael is related, otherwise everything we've come to know (and love) about this team may come crumbling down. On the courts, Christian and Phil look to be the key singles players while RJ and Karl should do well on the doubles courts.
Key Question: Will the King Family handle a non-King on their team?!
Team: Cleveland Racquet Club
Captain: Jared Peizet
Players: Jared Peizet, Dan Selle, Jeffrey Hagman, Paul Shand, Peter Vinocur, Derron Wrubel, Corey Roth, Leonard Bashkin, Eric Zalud, Michael Levy, Jeff Gardner, Michael Potter-Schneider
Key Losses: Miles Molyneaux
Notes: One of the most prestigious clubs around, this group looks to continue to improve in season two under Captain Jared's leadership. Derron and Jeffrey should steady the ship in doubles while Corey brings experience in singles.
Key Question: Do the CRC players own enough white clothing for the 90% CRC clothing rule?!
Team: La Tuchie Tennis Center
Captain: Eric Bissell
Players: Reddy Vittedi, Eric Bissell, Erik Wasowski, Nicolas Savelieff, Alan Eng, Lorenzo Basil, Brian Hendricks, Qingyuan Fan, Rishi Goel, Vincent Yannucci, Geoff Fiedler, Max Roszkowski, Jeremy Clemens, Florencio Marquinez, Dan Fordham
Key Losses: Jeff Sterling, Scott Hovey, Ronald Thomas, Chris Thompson, Jeff Sirak
Key Additions: Nicolas Savelieff
Notes: One of the best clubs of 2021, LaTuchie lost more impact players than any other in Flight 2 as a result of their success, and look to rebuild come 2022. But that rebuilding project may happen sooner than some expect, for the club enjoys experience on the doubles courts with seasoned 3.0 veteran Reddy and Alan. Meanwhile, second year 3.0er Erik could quickly emerge as a key player as his skill in both singles and doubles will give Captain Eric the flexibility all captain's crave. Add in a rich pool of rookie talent, and LaTuchie may be back on top sooner than some pundits believe!
Key Question: Can Erik, the odds on favorite to replace The Scott Hovey in singles, replace Scott in singles? (Hint: no!)
Flight 3
Team: Force Rocky River
Captains: Jeremy Benjamin, Anthony Kulka
Players: Anthony Kulka, Jeremy Benjamin, Jeff Firestone, Anthony Provoznik, Adnan Kazazic, Abhijit Nath, Joseph Butchko, Joseph Miksa, Nick Gretta, David Campbell, Kuldeep Vaghela
Key Losses: John Prince, Roger Goodin, Adam Voight, Wael Rached, Travis Haselswerdt, Scott Mellino, James McGlone, Sreeramesh Kalluri, Robert Jurs, Harry Bendzuck, Timothy Chen, Mark Pastor ... yikes
Key Additions: Kuldeep Vaghela
Notes: No team has been more decimated by departures than Captain Jeremy's Force club, who enjoyed the best ever 18+ 3.0 showing in 3.0 history with their 8th place Nationals finish in 2021. Indeed, nine of the top 10 rated players are gonzo, but when one door closes, others open, and Captain Jeremy, the 2021 Captain of the Year, has a fresh palate of players to help get Force back to the promised land! In doubles, veterans Anthony and Adnan cement the tag-team courts while in singles, Big Joe and free agent signee Kuldeep bring both finesse and power. Swing player Abhi and promising rookie Joseph give Captain Jeremy the depth and flexibility he'll no doubt utilize this coming season!
Key Question: Can Captain Jeremy overcome the loss of 12 players from last year's Flight Championship team? As Ado would say, "Who know."
Team: Paramount Tennis Club Westlake
Captain: John Keller, Mark Tabora
Players: John Keller, Doug Michelsen, Derek Reid, Todd Lenet, Ryan Ashdown, Mark Tabora, Mark Miller, Ryan Kowalski, Kevin Dieterich, Rich Kmiecik, Peter Bitounis, Andrew Vergon
Key Losses: David Fletcher, Jeff Hall
Key Additions: Mark Tabora
Notes: Bringing back their top five players and most of last year's roster, veteran Captain John's club has a strong chance of playing meaningful 3.0 tennis deep into the 3.0 season! Indeed, Captain John enjoys more flexibility than most, as second year player Ryan is set as one of the top singles players in the area while John, Ryan K., and Doug can spot start on the solo courts as well. In doubles, there is even more depth, as Doug, Peter, Rich, and Derek all bring strong play to the courts.
Key Question: If Paramount Westlake plays Paramount Medina, will the universe implode?! And with doubles looking set, will Captain John sacrifice a doubles court to try to nail down a singles court??
Team: Bay Village
Captain: Mark Jeffers
Players: Greg Ernst, Charlie Post, Brian Chambers, Tom Mullee, Nathan Chavez, Mark Jeffers, Andrew Silverio, Erik Overberger, Justin Stuart, Tony Slabicki
Key Losses: Dietrich Schelzig, Michael Elliot
Notes: Losing singles specialist Dietrich and doubles expert Michael are big holes to fill, but if anyone is good at damming the 3.0 dyke, it's Captain Mark, the most successful 3.0 captain in Bay's 3.0 history! Captain Mark has much of last season's roster to choose from, and veteran Erik and second-year 3.0er Nathan, bring strong 3.0 skill to the singles courts. Meanwhile, veterans Charlie and Tom bring savvy while besties Tony and Brian bring one of the strongest 3.0 tandem records around to the doubles courts. If Captain Mark can fix the biggest problem Bay tennis endures year after year - attendance! - Bay could enjoy a 3.0 renaissance!
Key Question: Can Captain Mark require the Bay players to actually show up?! Because if he can, there is intriguing roster flexibility with this crew!
Team: Cleveland Skating Club
Captain: Wayne Barry, Jacob Glenn
Players: Jacob Glenn, Wayne Barry, Lloyd Bell, Dylan MacLean, David Jarus, Nicholas Wille, Dave Moore, Harmin Chima, Michael Goldberg, Jeff Hulett, Paul Stroud, Jack Prause, Patrick Peters, Dennis Giancola
Key Losses: Brian Moran, Erick Kauffman
Notes: Returning eight of their top 10 players from last season, CSC looks to make a run towards a Flight 3 title with their combination of experience and skill! Jeff and Harmina look to pick up the slack on the singles courts from departed Erick while in doubles, CSC enjoys impressive depth, as Dylan, Jack, Michael, Brian, Jacob, and Lloyd all bring winning records to the courts o' doubles. If Captain Wayne can nail down the singles courts, CSC could nail down a playoff berth before all is said and done!
Key Question: Who will shoulder the burden of the singles play, because in doubles, this team looks set!
Team: Western Reserve Racquet and Fitness Club
Captain: Kurt Sosinski
Players: Kurt Sosinski, Sinan Shahzad, Tony Cici, Ovidiu Pica, Mike Oster, Bob Berichon, Russell Duffley, John Bonham, Gaby Aoun, Brett Daberko, Tim Shaw, Mirza Baig, David Martin, Mike Drozda
Key Losses: Steven Mowry, Andrew Cornell, Christopher Downing, Steve Constantino
Notes: While WRRC lost several key players, they bring back experience and raw numbers, which should help them in their pursuit of a return trip to the playoffs after 2021's successful season! Bob and David bring winning doubles records as well as playoff experience, while Mike's all-around game and Ovidiu's overall experience should pay dividends on this relatively young club.
Key Question: The most distant team in Flight 3 with the best post-match bar, how key will home-court advantage be to WRRC??
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