GUILDERLAND — The has had a target on its back all season but has avoided any major hits.

The Dutchmen, the defending Section II champions, have just one loss this year, which they avenged later in the season.
"We didn’t get a good start at the beginning of the season," said Guilderland Coach Curtis Snyder. "Even though guys play a lot during the off-season, we weren’t totally ready. Bethlehem legitimately beat us, 6-3. It forced us to get re-focused and we’ve played pretty good since then."

The Dutchmen came back to beat Bethlehem, 8-1, a few weeks after the loss.

Right now, the team’s season has been put on hold — the sectionals begin on Friday — and the individual tournaments for spots in the state meet is taking place.

A pair of Guilderland players is having success there.

Alex Kolomiets and Kevin Gioia, the top two singles players for the Dutch all season, have teamed up for the doubles tournament and have advanced to the semifinals. The duo already won the doubles title at the Suburban Council Tournament.
"They wanted to try something different," Snyder said. "They play singles a lot during the year, and they really wanted to come together and see what they can do.
"They are big kids, six-four and six-two," Snyder added. "They’re big hitters and are intimidating. They force other teams to change what they do."

Joey Millstein, who competes in doubles for the Dutchmen, was in the singles tournament after an impressive showing at the Suburban Council singles competition.

Kolmiets and Gioia have been the top players for the Dutchmen for the past few years and have been leaders all season.

Joe Shawky has played in the number-three slot for the Dutch and Jon Ellenbogen has filled in the four spot nicely.

Mike Griggs plays number-five singles and Pat Ryan is in the sixth slot.

Dan Bakst and Millstein form the top doubles team for the Dutchmen. Chad Caplan and Joey Malerba are the number-two team and Scott Purga and Ben Ellenbogen are the third doubles team.

Ben Ellenbogen, Purga, and Malerba are the only newcomers to the line-up.
"That’s definitely going to help us," Snyder said. "The older guys have helped the younger guys and we’ve been able to put them in where they belong."

The Dutchmen get a first-round bye and will play in the quarterfinals on Monday. The semifinals are on Tuesday and the finals will be on Wednesday. The Dutch will be at home for the quarters and the semis if they win. The final will be at a neutral site — most likely Central Park in Schenectady.
"They are up for the challenge," Snyder said of his team as it gets ready to defend its title. "They are looking forward to it. They want to be the team that wins two in a row. That’ll be great."