Another Miller leads Williamsville North
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

Casey Middle School seventh-grader Tony Miller brings his vast tennis experience to Williamsville North. Miller will play at first singles. His older sister, Tina, is a three-time ECIC champion on the North girls team.

There's another prodigy with the last name Miller who will lead a Williamsville North tennis team for years to come.

Casey Middle School seventh grader Tony Miller, brother of Tina, a North freshman who is a three-time ECIC girls tennis champion at first singles, is the starting first singles player for the boys team.

Tony and Tina are the son and daughter of Todd (executive director and head professional of Amherst Hills Tennis Club for the past 25 years and master professional) and Debbie (former PTR Eastern Professional of the Year) Miller.

Tony Miller, 12, has competed in local, sectional and national tournaments since age 8 and has captured several USTA singles titles. Miller, who trains five days a week at Amherst Hills Tennis Club, is ranked in the Eastern Section 14 and under division.

North coach Mike Venditti said no one on the team has come close to beating Tony Miller in challenge matches during practice.

"I can't imagine how well he will be when he's a junior or senior," said Venditti.

Venditti said Tony Miller has the best all-around game.

"He hits heavy from the base line, can volley well at doubles, has a good serve and possesses a lot of pace for someone who is so young," Venditti said. "He also has great court awareness that you don't find in a seventh grader or a typical high school player."

The rest of the North lineup from second singles to first doubles is a tossup. Players vying are Heim Middle School eighth grader Alex Bronsky, senior Steve Glickman, and juniors Jack Jagodzinski, an ECIC qualifier in doubles last year, and Julian Rothschild.

Venditti said Bronsky is good friends with Tony Miller and can hit good ground strokes; Glickman brings experience (entering sixth year on team); Jagodzinski, at 6-foot-4, has a long reach that helps his serve; and Rothschild uses his speed to run down balls.

Junior Mike Beato, another speedster, and senior Joe Elton, who has a strong forehand, will most likely play at second doubles. Beato and Jagodzinski are co-captains.

Venditti believes his team, 23 players deep, will definitely be competitive, but a lot of the season depends on how Tony Miller and Bronsky perform.

North finished 8-4 last year in ECIC Division I with two losses each to Orchard Park and Clarence.
        Williamsville North
            2007 Schedule
4-18 at Frontier................. 4 p.m.
4-19 Orchard Park............ 4 p.m.
4-20 W.S. West................... 5 p.m.
4-23 Lancaster.............. 4:45 p.m.
4-25 at Clarence........... 4:45 p.m.
4-30 at Jamestown ...... 5:15 p.m.
5-1 at Orchard Park ......... 4 p.m.
5-3 Jamestown ............. 5:15 p.m.
5-4 Frontier........................ 4 p.m.
5-7 at W.S. West ........... 4:45 p.m.
5-8 at Lancaster ........... 4:45 p.m.
5-11 Clarence ............... 4:45 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com