Tennis: Division II, day one

Bernier still alive

Canton Central Catholic junior Colin Bernier has advanced to the state semifinals for the second time in his career. Bernier finished fourth in doubles as a freshman, then was eliminated in his first match at state last season in singles.

He play Friday improved as the day progressed. He was unhappy with the way he played in beating Middletown Bishop Fenwick's Raul Damania in the opening round, but had a better feel for his serve in knocking off Norwalk freshman Trevor Bowers in the quarterfinals.

Now he'll face defending state champion Joey Fritz from Cincinnati Country Day. If he's intimidated, he's not showing it.

"I'm excited," he said. "I want to play him."

The alternative for Bernier wasn't much better. Fritz beat Columbus Wellington School's Ian Wagner to reach the semis. Wagner ended Bernier's season last year. Regardless, Bernier is just happy to still be playing on Saturday.

"It's awesome," he said. "I was lucky enough to do it freshman year and that was my goal this year. Now everyone left is a really good player."

CVCA is everywhere

Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy is the only team left in the state to have a singles player and a doubles team still alive. But it's better than that.

CVCA qualified out of the Northeast District for the coaches' team tournament, which is held on Sunday. So the entire team is in Columbus to watch singles player Alex Aleman and doubles team Lou Konstan and Will Konstan. That's why when the first day of action stopped, CVCA's team members were still out hitting balls.

"It's fun to have our whole team down here," Aleman said. "It's pretty cool to get everyone, not just me. I like the whole team atmosphere."

Aleman and Lou Konstan teamed up to win a doubles championship last season. That experience helped ease Aleman's nerves for this run.

"It's given me a lot of confidence going inot this," Aleman said. "I've been here before. I know what it's like to be on the courts here."

CVCA, part II

Lou Konstan partnered up with his younger brother, sophomore Will Konstan, to reach Saturday's semifinals.

"We're brothers, so of course I know him inside and out," Lou said. "But to come back here with a different player is quite amazing, and to share it with him makes it even better.

The fact they're brothers could lead to tension and arguments, but both brothers insist there is little bickering. Lou has made a point not to pick on Will, even though Lou is the older brother.

"Now that I know he's my partner and I can't do it without him," Lou said, "I gotta be nice to him."