For the past three seasons, the story has ended the same way for the Newtown boys' tennis team — a second-place finish behind perennial conference power Weston. This spring, however, the team believes the script is ready to change.

With nine returning players and five new athletes competing for spots, this year’s roster blends experience, depth, and motivation. The core of the team remains intact, and the leadership is unquestioned, Coach Shawn Tierney said. Captains A.J. Singh, Frankie Cannizzo, and Ryan Hislop are all four-year starters who have been at the heart of the program since their freshman season.

Singh and Cannizzo have anchored the lineup at first and second singles throughout their high school careers. This season, the two may split time between the top two singles positions, giving the team flexibility and a formidable presence at the top of the ladder. Junior Aarev Shetty returns to lock down the third singles spot, providing stability and consistency in the middle of the lineup.

Competition will be fierce for the remaining singles positions. Ryan Hislop will be battling for the fourth singles spot alongside last year’s standout freshman, Brody Paulsen. Their competition is expected to push both players and elevate the overall level of play.

In doubles, seniors Cam Linnetz and Steven Singlak return as key contributors, bringing experience and chemistry to matches that often determine close team outcomes. Their roles will be especially important as the team finalizes pairings and looks to maximize points across the lineup.

The season will begin with no easing in. The opening match is against Weston, Monday, April 6 at 3:45 pm (the match will take place at Treadwell Park), giving the team an immediate opportunity to measure itself against its toughest rival. The early showdown should provide a clear indication of how close — or how far — the team is from achieving its ultimate goal of winning the South-West Conference title.

What separates this team from recent seasons is the strength and experience of its singles lineup, Tierney noted. All four singles players are returning, a rarity that positions the team as a legitimate conference title contender. With depth, leadership, and unfinished business driving them, the Nighthawks are aiming to capture their first conference championship since 2010 — and finally bring an end to Weston’s reign.