By HockomockSports.com Staff

Since the league split into two divisions in 2011, the Kelley-Rex has had a lot of competition while the Davenport division has been dominated by two teams in Sharon and Foxboro. King Philip, Taunton, and North are the three programs with division titles but this could be the season a new face sits at the top with both Franklin and Attleboro coming in as serious contenders. In the Davenport, the Eagles have a lot of familiar faces back this year while the Warriors have shuffled the lineup in an attempt to contend, and the best player in the league might be from another division rival in Oliver Ames.

The Sharon team is full of veterans ready to deal with some of the top teams in the Hockomock League. Sharon’s squad will be tough to beat this year as well with returning Hockomock League all stars junior Judy Song and senior Navya Shukla to lead the way. Song is one of the best all-around players in the league and will have to handle some tough competition at first singles while Shukla will likely be one of the top second singles competitors this year. Juniors Jenny Sand and Olivia Landstein have a lot of doubles experience, including some matches together last spring, and will be a formidable duo for the Eagles.

Foxboro has been the Eagles’ biggest challenger on the Davenport side, and the Warriors are looking to contend for the title again this year. There will be some new faces in singles action with Analise Jia and Audrey Paulino making the jump from doubles play to singles action, and the Warriors got a boost to the lineup with the addition of freshman Siya Sakhecha. Seniors Katelynn Dineen and Emily Stow provide a veteran presence in doubles action and head coach Michelle Peck plans to feature a good amount of players in the lineup.

After a second-place finish in the Davenport last year, Oliver Ames features one of the top players in the state in junior Hannah Farber. Farber, now in her third season as the top singles player for the Tigers, is a two-team league all star and posted an impressive 14-4 record last year, including a win over the league MVP, who only lost one all year.

“Hannah is a strong competitor who thrives on playing the tough matches throughout the season,” said OA head coaches Melissa Spillane and Danielle Erickson. “She gives it her all the moment she steps on the court.”

Junior Stella Zachos is back for another year in singles action for OA and picked up a win in the tournament match against #5 Minnechaug. Senior co-captains Ella Mierzwinski and Chloe Bassil are both in the mix for time in doubles actions; juniors Ava Barth, Emily Beaulieu, and Abby Borden are all returning doubles players from a year ago and newcomer Bella Hyman has shown a lot of promise in the preseason. Freshmen Ada Visnauskis and Kathryn Weiler are two new players to keep an eye on in both singles action and doubles play.

Canton has a pair of new faces this year including new head coach Myra Durham and singles standout Mayan Maduel. Maduel comes to the Bulldogs from Floria and will jump right into a top spot in the lineup. Junior Camila Cutter, who has a lot of experience at first singles, gives the Bulldogs a strong 1-2 punch, and sophomore Charlotte Powers is back at third singles after playing some impressive tennis as a rookie. After some competitive play in the preseason, the junior-sophomore tandem of Jess Hooton and Katherine Powers have emerged as the top doubles team while senior captains Olivia McCloskey and Panayiota Michaelidis give Canton a veteran presence in the lineup. Four juniors have also impressed so far and will be in contention for time in the lineup in the doubles teams of Sonia Le and Lana Nguyen as well as Victoria Vinh and Lydia Sithivong.

“Overall, I am very excited for this season,” Durham said. “We have a strong team with a lot of depth, especially at doubles. We have some very committed and dedicated players. Our captains are proving to be strong leaders who have been able to help this team bond, which I believe is a crucial part of a team’s success.”

Both Mansfield and Stoughton are hoping to build upon last year’s season. The Hornets boast Alexis O’Keefe, Caroline Guravage, and Claire Copp in singles action with Rachel Goldman, Carly Devine, Anushka Srivastava, Maddie Buckley, Maddie Powers, and Elena O’Keefe all competing for time at doubles. Stoughton senior Ally Lada is coming off a nine-win year at first singles against some very tough competition and head coach Patty Bangs said she’s looking much stronger in all aspects of her game this spring. Dhruvi Patel is moving up from third singles to second while Jacqueline Boutros is making the switch from doubles play to third singles. Jina Kim and Amanda Nguyen return to doubles play with varsity experience, newcomer Emma Byrne has impressed so far, and Charlotte Garcia-Ziegler, Makaila Graffeo, and Olivia Henderson are all pushing for time for Stoughton.

“With a blend of seasoned veterans and promising newcomers, we strive to surpass last season’s accomplishments and emerge as contenders in our matches,” Bangs said.

The Kelley-Rex division features a strong group of challengers against North Attleboro, who took first place by just one match over Franklin and King Philip. The Panthers have nearly their entire lineup back plus some key additions. Junior Izzy Trull, who played No. 1 single last year, is hurt to start the season but will give Franklin a massive boost when she returns. In the meantime, sophomore newcomer Gabby Cura has emerged as the top singles player for Franklin, senior captain Chloe Essam is back in the mix near the top of the lineup, and senior Brooke Taylor (10 wins in 2023) returns for third singles. Sophomore Isabelle Simino, who played both singles and doubles last year as a rookie, gives head coach Bob Pingeton a lot of flexibility in the lineup. The all-junior doubles team of Brooke Daniels and Sydney Tolonen is back after going undefeated (14-0) last season, and Franklin has senior captain Ava Davies, senior Lexi Winkler, sophomore Avalon Thomes, and senior Mia Dewsnap all pushing for playing time.

“We have a strong team this season with many returning starters and players that will compete for match time,” Pingeton said.

Attleboro is a team to keep an eye on. The Bombardiers finished fifth last year but had a lot of close matchups, including a handful of 2-3 losses down the stretch. They have a lot of talent back ready to make a push in a very competitive division. Senior captain Maddie Fuscaldo, fresh off earning all-league last season, is back for her second year at first singles, senior captain Kyra Johnson is another strong singles competitor, and senior captain Presley Biller has a lot of doubles experience. Juniors Julia Leonardo and Katie Lortos were honorable mention for all league last year and look to build on their strong connection; seniors Aarna Sodanhi and Mackenzie Cooper had some strong appearances last year and should be important pieces this year.

“We had a really young team last year, we only graduated two players,” said Attleboro head coach Bill Reilly. “Several of our losses in 2023 were 2-3. I think this puts us in a great position to flip those scores and get back to challenging for a top spot in the Hockomock League standings at the end of the season. I have a lot of confidence in this team and the players on it.”

Another team to keep an eye on that side of the Hock is Taunton, who has a strong senior class with a lot of varsity experience. Captains Morgan Smith and Ava Alves are coming off impressive junior campaigns and will be back in singles action this year, while Janelle Garcia, Caroline Pietnik, and Sam Parrett are all familiar faces from the Tigers’ doubles teams. Sophomore Sarah Riveiro and freshman Ava Olivadesa are newcomers to the lineup ready to contribute right away.

“We’re looking forward to a great season this year,” said Taunton head coach Alisa Silva. “These seniors have come a long way and I’m excited to see what they can do this year.”

Milford has a young team overall this year and will be leaning heavily on its junior class. Mallory Brickley takes over the top spot in the lineup after competing at third singles last year and head coach Julie Rabinowitz noted her “relentless drive and strategic play” will be key to her success. Juniors Ava Merrill and Audrey Brannigan are making the jump from doubles action to the singles side and will compete for time and second and third singles. Junior Lillian Bogonis is a key returner in doubles action along with sophomores Sam DeNegris and Chloe Murdock. Junior Riley Donovan and freshman Catie Delaney will also be key contributors for the Hawks this year.

“I am looking forward to getting our season going and I’m confident that we will continue to grow and improve as the season progresses,” Rabinowitz said. “I have a special group of experienced girls and I am excited about the potential that they have. We are looking to compete and push our tennis program in the right direction.”