By: Ken Weingartner
Tennis players will tell you that communication is one of the keys to a successful doubles team.
Justin Bauman and Kevin Houle, who have gone 5-1 at first doubles for Monroe High, agree. However, that doesn’t mean the two are always talking about tennis when they’re on the court.
Bauman and Houle will occasionally discuss a point or their play, but it’s just as likely you will find the seniors talking about homework, teachers, classes, their social lives, or simply telling jokes.
"It almost seems like a contradiction, but that helps keep our minds from wandering," Houle said. "It really helps us focus. It’s like you get off whatever is on your mind, and then can focus on tennis. It’s weird, but it’s been working. Plus it makes it fun to play tennis, and it’s easier to play well when it’s fun."
Monroe improved to 4-2 Wednesday with a 4-1 victory over Colonia. Bauman and Houle picked up a win at first doubles while Kris Worman and Darren Goldberg won at singles. Nick Carofilis-Ashish Patel also triumphed at second doubles.
Goldberg, playing at third singles, upped his record to 6-0.
"He’s been playing great," Houle said. "He’s having a fabulous season. When I watch him play, I’m just glad he’s on our team. He has a superb style for high school tennis that drives his opponents crazy and it’s worked well for him."
Worman had teamed with Bauman for a 19-3 record at second doubles last season. Bauman and Houle began eyeing a partnership during the summer and would hit together whenever possible.
"I love playing doubles," Bauman said. "It’s more fun. With singles, it’s all on you. But in doubles, if you’re having a bad day you still have a chance of winning because your partner is backing you up. Kevin is one of my friends, and this has worked out well. We have good chemistry. Talking on the court eases the tension and the nerves. I think that’s to our advantage."
The players’ styles complement each other, as well. Bauman doesn’t like playing at the net, for example, which is OK because the 6-foot-1 Houle enjoys being up front.
"We use my height to our advantage," Houle said. "It’s hard for the other team to hit over me, and if they do, the ball often goes out.
"I also have a strong backhand. My backhand wreaks havoc on our opponents’ serves. The natural serve on the backhand side is to the backhand. If you can get it so they’re trying to place their serve to the forehand, that’s an advantage because when you place your serve you usually hit it slower.
"I’ve learned to use my size to get leverage on my backhand and hit with a lot of topspin. If I’ve got time to wind up, it really comes at that person."
Bauman’s strength is his ground strokes, not to mention the mental toughness he’s developed over the years as a wrestler.
"Tennis is a lot easier than wrestling," Bauman said with a laugh. "Wrestling has helped me not only from a conditioning standpoint but mentally, too. You can handle anything. You never get down on yourself."
With continued strong play, Bauman and Houle might be able to make some more noise on the court at the Greater Middlesex Conference Tournament the first weekend in May.
"I’m not surprised, but I’m happy with our season," Houle said. "When we picked each other as partners, we were hoping it would be this way."
And who knows? The duo’s play might soon have everyone talking.
