By Marc Thaler
Staff Writer

Individually, each player is incredibly gifted. As a team, the collective talent can terrify the competition.

Conduct any kind of evaluation. The conclusion regarding the Derryfield School boys tennis team is consistent: These Cougars epitomize domination.

This year, Derryfield shoots for its third straight Class M-S tennis crown. The team's four seniors are, from left - Doug MacKenzie, Steven Morgan, Chaz Carrier and Cooper Cunliffe. MacKenzie, Carrier and Cunliffe occupy the top three slots, while Morgan is part of a large group who makes the Cougars a deep and talented squad. (Jerry Liptak Photo)

"Top flight tennis is like a boxing match. You're literally landing blows on the other guy," said Bruce Berk, the longtime DS tennis coach. "The question is how well you can deflect (the opponent's shots) and pound on the other guy. In the end, you're just mentally beating the other guy."

During the last three years, Derryfield's boys program has provided a powerful set of psychological punches to its opponents.

Undefeated the past two years and winner of the last two state championships, DS is currently attempting to rule the landscape of the Class M-S kingdom for a third consecutive term.

Derryfield has flattened its foes, winning 40 matches in a row - an amazing feat considering quality play between the lines is dependent on staying sharp between the ears.

"There's no comparison in terms of the mental toughness in a one-on-one sport," Berk said. "You have to fight through self-doubt and there's no substitution. These boys are learning you often go out to compete without your A-game and you must find a way to hold it together to win the match.

"That makes them very mentally tough," Berk added. "They'll carry away with them the ability to focus and work through adversity."

Maintaining such tunnel vision will be critical in the Cougars' quest for consecutive crown No. 3.

DS won back-to-back state titles in 1988-89 before various classes were established. The school also won two in a row in 1991-92 under the current class format.

But never before has Derryfield completed a three-peat.

"These kids are really intent on building memories," Berk said. "For the seniors, if they win this year - back-to-back- to-back titles, that just doesn't happen."

This season, the squad is led by its four seniors; three compete in the team's top ranked spots.

Doug MacKenzie is the Cougars' No. 1 player for the third straight season and the reigning Class M-S Player of the Year. As a freshman who was ranked fourth, MacKenzie was the only DS player to post an undefeated record.

Chaz Carrier occupies the squad's second slot for the second consecutive campaign. Just 5-foot-1 as a freshman, he'll graduate a full foot taller. Carrier has also become a dominant doubles player who should fare well this season, according to the coach.

The third member of the team's triple threat is southpaw Cooper Cunliffe, who's undefeated in singles play since he broke into the lineup as a sophomore. Extremely athletic and quick, Berk said his No. 3 player dares opponents to out run him while taking every opportunity to rush the net.

"The team has essentially ridden the backs of this trio," Berk said.

But the talent runs deeper. The fourth- through sixth ranked singles players are, respectively, junior Clinton Oas, sophomore Kyle Keyes and freshman Alex Green.

Described by his coach as quiet but tenacious, Oas helped DS win the '04 title with huge wins in the semifinals and finals.

Both Keyes and Green are in the top six for the first time. Each showcases solid ground strokes and competes with intense passion, Berk said.

Of course, the rest of the Cougars have standout skills, too. From the fifth spot through the 10th, Berk said the athletes all play at the same level.

"Early in the season, we ran challenge matches (to determine seeding)," Berk said. "Four of the five matches were 7-5 (decisions) or closer."

That group of gritty competitors consists of senior Steve Morgan; juniors Erich Bradley, Glen Freiden and Alex Rolecek; sophomores Pat Khayat and Jackson MacKenzie; along with freshman Than Moore.

Delving even deeper, the Cougars also have juniors Jay Agarway and Mark Sanford plus freshmen Nick Bryan, Rex Rodanas and Akash Vadalia.

"We're blessed with a lot of talent in the boys tennis program," Berk said. "It's a huge sport in terms of the interest level.

"A lot of these kids play other sports," he added. "But there's no question they think the (tennis season is) where they have the most fun."