AACS Tennis Team Wins First Ever Championship

(AACS) varsity tennis team won its first championship ever after it won the MIAA B conference tournament May 9.

The victory was especially sweet since the team defeated rival and longtime tennis powerhouse Archbishop Spalding, ending the Cavaliers’ five year reign as conference champions.

For the Eagles, the year was full of firsts, as the squad also played on a “home court” for the first season ever thanks to funding by Teri and Maurice Tosé.

To celebrate the team’s achievement and honor the Tosé family’s contributions, AACS held a special dedication ceremony at the Tosé Family Tennis Center on the Upper School’s campus in Severn Monday afternoon.

In attendance was AACS Superintendent George Lawrence, President of the Anne Arundel County Tennis Association Michele Archibald and other fans and family members. However, the honored guest of the afternoon was and lone financier of the tennis courts.

Recently completed in the early months of 2011, the home court indirectly contributed to the tennis team’s success in finally overthrowing Archbishop Spalding for the conference championship, said Assistant Coach Drew Robison.

“It gives players an identity of tennis with the school,” Robison said. “The whole student body is much more aware now of the tennis program. It energizes the team.”

Both Robison and Head Coach Becky Kang said the court served as a catalyst for the athletes, increasing both their pride and determination in winning the title.

“[The team] truly supported each other,” said AACS Athletic Director Jim Domoracki, during his opening remarks Monday afternoon.

The squad is technically listed as a boy’s varsity team, but the school is allowed to compete with a co-ed team. Several other schools in the conference contain both boys and girls in their roster, said AACS spokesman Juliet Wright.

It was the Tosé family’s love for tennis and appreciation for the school that led to their significant contribution for the courts’ construction. Not to mention the fact their daughter Madison and son Bear both play for the Eagles.

“We’re blessed to be a blessing,” said Tosé. “The whole family plays [tennis]. Even the 6-year-old.”

The newly crowned champions will look to repeat their success in the spring of 2012, especially since their entire team are juniors or younger.

Tosé said he’s excited to see what the team can accomplish next year, and admitted that it’s been quite some time since he was able to defeat his daughter on the court.

“She has manhandled Dad for awhile now," Tosé said.