There are no guarantees when it comes to athletic results. But the Concord High boys’ tennis team came pretty close to having a sure thing this spring in senior captain Justin Toler.
“He has been a reliable point winner in both singles and doubles, and every contending team needs that,” Crimson Tide Coach Dave Page said.
Toler went 16-0 in singles this season, leading Concord to a 14-2 record and a spot in the Division I semifinals, and earning himself the No. 1 seed in the NHIAA singles tournament, where he finished runner-up last year. He and Concord junior Aidan Connor went 13-2 in doubles this season, and they’re the No. 2 seed in the state doubles tournament.
In trying to unlock the secret of Toler’s success, it only made sense to talk to his doubles and practice partner, Connor, as well as one of his toughest opponents this season, Sam Grondin from Derryfield.
“Every time Justin plays he figures out his opponent’s weaknesses and time after time he just attacks it and he pretty much wins every time that way,” Connor said. “And he’s such a good all-around player that he can implement almost any game strategy to beat his opponent any way possible.”
That’s what happened when Toler faced Grondin in the team semifinals on May 26. The two have known each other for years. They’ve taken lessons together with Alan Chandronnait in Bow and they’ve played against each other multiple times. So Toler knew Grondin’s weaknesses coming in, but those weaknesses weren’t the same in this match.
Grondin has a strong net game, but it wasn’t there for him in the semifinals. Toler recognized that and, as usual, attacked.
“He was pulling me into net when I was playing him, and normally that’s something I like to do, but I was struggling with it in that match,” said Grondin, who lives in Bow. “He sort of pulled me out of my comfort zone, which is definitely something I haven’t seen throughout the rest of my season.”
While it’s a chore to play against Toler, it’s a benefit to practice with him.
“Playing with him has definitely made me better and has made me want to compete more to get closer and closer to his level,” Connor said. “I’ve been really lucky to be able to play with him.”
Connor isn’t the only one who has benefited from Toler’s four years with the Crimson Tide.
“He works hard on his own game in practice and also gives valuable advice to the other kids,” Page said. “I put him in charge of our warmup routine before practices and matches and that responsibility isn’t given lightly.”