East improves to 8-0

The Cranston East boys tennis team is one of the state’s hottest teams this spring and entered the week with a perfect 8-0 record, good for first place in Division III.

The Bolts finished 7-4 last season and returned nearly its entire lineup, setting them up for success this time around. With just four matches to go in the regular season, the Bolts have championship aspirations and feel that they are legitimate after such a strong start.

“I had the whole team returning from last year so I knew we’d be stronger,” said coach Drew Hochman. “We see ourselves in the finals. If that translates to a championship, I don’t know. Seeing the other teams we could be against, it will be challenging, but we have thought about it. It’s about getting there first.”

The Bolts have their biggest test of the regular season when they take on North Smithfield on Thursday. The Northmen are in second place and also undefeated, so Thursday’s match could be a championship preview.

Leading the way for East has been top singles player Eston Fowler, who returns for his third year atop the lineup and has won all but one match so far this season.

“He took the initiative after his sophomore year, wanted to get better. He started taking lessons and really put in the work. He’s been growing more so as a person than as a player, they go hand in hand,” said Hochman of Fowler’s impact. “He has a lot of (younger) players looking at him. It’s a good thing for preparing him for the future. He’s assumed the role, he hasn’t backed down.”

Also enjoying strong seasons are second singles Eri Ogunde and third singles player Jackson Sigler. The three top singles players qualified for this weekend’s individual state tournament, as well as top doubles pairing Jason Barrera and Ansony Chavarria.