Boys tennis: Scouting the Fox Valley
Bartlett HawksCoach: Colleen Brandner
Top returning players: Jordan Li, Justin Howes, James Devereux, Brandon Peppa
Key newcomers: Freshman Peter Devereux
Outlook: Li and Howes are returning players who will play singles for the Hawks. James Devereux and Peppa also are back and will man the No. 1 doubles position. Li is the only one out of the returning quartet with Howes, James Devereux and Peppa who is playing his same position as last year. "Justin, James and Brandon are changing it up this year," Brandner noted.
Cary-Grove TrojansCoach: Amanda Schuetzle (5th season)
2014 conference finish: Fourth place Fox Valley
Top returning players: Seniors Brandon Butler (1-2 doubles), Kevin Budreck (1-2 doubles), Evan Jensen (No. 2 singles), Kyle Venet, Mitch Kedzior, Chris Cecchin, Brian Teper.
Key newcomers: Juniors Chris Kownick, Curt Norton, Matt Price, Nate Weber, freshman Michael Ptaszek
Outlook: The Trojans are loaded with senior experience this season. "We have many returning seniors who started last year and have also mixed in a solid group of juniors, plus a strong freshman that has moved up to varsity," said Schuetzle. "Our lineup is up in the air even with many returning players. This is a good thing. It will definitely be competitive for starting positions this season. We are looking to be a deep team. This is a good group of guys that is hardworking, committed and tight-knit. I'm looking forward to working with these players and setting some high goals and see what we can accomplish this year." Jensen is coming off an 18-win season a year ago.
Crystal Lake South GatorsCoach: Don Nead (37th season, 420-129)
2014 record: 11-3 overall, 10-3 FVC
Top returning players: Senior Stefan Harris, junior Alex Sardjev, sophomore Nick Thome
Outlook: Nead said this year's squad will be a work in progress. "With only three returning conference players it will take time to develop as a team," he said. "The overall skill level is very balanced, so as the season progresses the team could become competitive in the conference." Nead noted the team has 37 players on the varsity roster. The veteran coach added Prairie Ridge and Jacobs are the teams to watch in the FVC. "Both Jacobs and Prairie Ridge have an abundance of skilled players," he said.
Dundee-Crown ChargersCoach: Sean Howell
Top returning players: Senior Chad Wagner, junior Albert Dziadrowiec
Key newcomers: Freshman Nicklas Nelson, Chase Nelson
Outlook: Howell is excited about the young talent coming into the program. "This team has a great opportunity to have a really strong freshman class," he said. "This will help us on varsity not only this year with the addition of these special players, but also for years to come." Howell said the squad has its eyes on improving its place in the FVC and will benefit from the veteran presence of Wagner. "The team is completely focused on improving our record and with the great leadership from Chad Wagner, all players can have a great example of how to do that. Chad brings the mentality and mental fortitude that will help develop thee special freshmen into outstanding players. This team is training and working hard every day on and off the court." Howell said to keep an eye on Nicklas Nelson (no relation to Chase) in particular. "Nicklas is one of the strongest freshman players I have seen in my time coaching and playing tennis," said Howell. "He competes year-round and has flawless technique with his shots."
Elgin Academy HilltoppersCoach: Greg Repede
2014 conference finish: 1-4 Independent School League
Top returning players: Seniors Quin Phalen, Ben Oriold, Eason Rong, Nathan Schafer, sophomore Harmon Handa
Outlook: Elgin Academy is coming off a 10-win season in 2014, but Repede said the experience landscape will be a bit different a year later. "Both our singles graduated and our top doubles team is not playing," he said. "This is definitely a rebuilding year." Numbers are a positive for the Hilltoppers. "We have good numbers with 18 players, including six freshmen. We hope to have fun while improving our skills and becoming more competitive as the season progresses. This is an intelligent and enthusiastic group of young men who will work hard."
Hampshire Whip-PursCoach: Bill Jepsen (4th season)
Top returning player: Junior Jack Gara (No. 1 doubles)
Key newcomer: Sophomore Aldren Briones
Outlook: Hampshire lost plenty from last year's squad. "It's a rebuilding season," said Jepsen. "We lost 8 seniors, including our Top 5 players." In that group was Elisha Hougland, who now is playing at Judson. Gara is penciled in at No. 1 doubles, while Briones is a sophomore transfer and is penciled in at No. 1 singles. "Aldren is in the process of developing into a strong player," the coach said. While a rebuilding year, Jepsen said his team is ready to compete. "While learning and improving their game, I expect the boys to compete every point," he said. "Solid doubles play, of course, is important - having 8 of 11 starters playing doubles."
Huntley Red RaidersCoach: Barry Wells
2014 conference finish: Seventh Fox Valley
Top returning players: Seniors Riley Michel, Jason Downs, Josh Simons, Austin Andre, Nick Mihaiu, Brendan Hagn, junior Jake Grabner
Key newcomers: Juniors Ben Cazel, Jon Cazel, sophomores Keaton Newsome, Charlie Burian, freshman Jack Soderwall
Outlook: Wells likes how the singles and doubles lineups are shaping up. "I think we're going to have a more balanced lineup this year compared to last year when we were more doubles heavy," he said. "We will have a strong No. 1 doubles team and a good mix of new, young players with returning starters." Grabner returns after qualifying for state in doubles last year. "Jake finished second at the Jacobs sectional last year," Wells noted. "His partner from last year graduated so we are trying out a couple different partners for him to play with this year. I think whoever his partner is, they will have a good chance of returning to the state meet." Wells feels his team can make some headway this season in the tough FVC. "I think we will be competitive this year," he said. "Prairie Ridge has the best depth and good top talent and Jacobs has the best top talent, but not as much depth," he said.
Jacobs Golden EaglesCoach: Jon Betts (2nd season, 7th overall)
2014 record: 22-7 overall, 12-1 FVC
Top returning players: Seniors Matt Toomire, Kevin Searle, juniors, Kailash Panchapakesan, Kendrick Chong, Riley Rowan, sophomores Matt Kastritis, Jacob Moser, Patrick Murphy
Key newcomer: Freshman Kerwin Chong
Outlook: Jacobs is coming off a 2014 season where it won a sectional championship. The team returns sectional champions and state qualifiers in Toomire and Rowan, plus state qualifiers Panchapakesan and Kendrick Chong. "Though we have some tremendous talent returning at the top of our lineup, we will need a great effort from every member of the team to put ourselves in contention for a conference title," Betts said. "Keeping pace with Prairie Ridge and some of the area's other top teams will require a solid contribution from our third singles and third and fourth doubles positions." Betts added Prairie Ridge is the team to beat in the FVC. "Prairie Ridge is the clear favorite to repeat," he said. "Though they lost their top doubles team, they return several high-level players, have great depth and have added some significant talent to their lineup."
Larkin RoyalsCoach: Kevin Schillerstrom
2014 conference finish: 5th place UEC River
Top returning players: Seniors David Bermudez (No. 2 doubles), Miguel Mendoza (No. 1 doubles), juniors Armando Villagran (No. 1 singles), Eduardo Molina (No. 1 doubles)
Key newcomers: Juniors Jose Mora (No. 2 doubles), Salvador Meza (No. 2 doubles), freshman Nate Wilson (No. 3 singles)
Outlook: While the Royals lost a lot to graduation, Schillerstrom said the squad can still accomplish plenty. "We lost a lot of tough players to graduation," he said. "Getting fifth again in conference will be tough, but not impossible." The coach added the key strength of the group has nothing to do with tennis skill. "They have heart, meaning not giving up when the score says you should," he said. Larkin has seven players on the varsity and will forfeit the No. 3 and No. 4 doubles spots. Schillerstrom lauded the efforts of new JV coach Mike Scianna. "Mike stepped up this season to help the nine players who are all just starting their tennis experience in high school," he said. "I am thankful we can have a lower level for the individuals trying tennis for the first time."
South Elgin StormCoach: Michael Bruno (1st season)
Top returning players: Seniors Kevin Lee (No. 1 doubles), Arsh Salwan (No. 1 doubles), Paolo Valezuela (No. 1 singles)
Key newcomers: Seniors Ethan Hildebrandt, Daniel Hansana
Outlook: Bruno likes the veteran experience his team possesses. "With a varsity team comprised almost entirely of seniors, we hope to finish at or near the top of the conference and do well in the state tournament," said Bruno. Valezuela, Lee and Salwan are seniors manning the top singles and doubles positions for the Storm, while Hildebrandt and Hansana are "both high-level players who are joining the team," Bruno said.
St. Edward Green WaveCoach: Luke Swantek
Top returning player: Junior Chris Pottorff
Outlook: St. Edward returned to active competition as a team in 2014. "Last year was the first year in several years we had a boys' tennis team and it consisted of freshmen and sophomores," said Swantek. "With last year behind us, I'm expecting to start at a much better place, seeing how many of our players were relatively new to competitive tennis." Pottorff showed promise last season. "Chris played very well for us last year at first singles," the coach said. "I expect him to be even more successful this year." Swantek said the goals for the team are straightforward. "Our goals are simply to improve upon last year, which felt like a growing year, and show the other schools we can be a competitive addition to the conference. Our strength will be the determination of the players. They will give it their all and win or lose will give an excellent amount of effort on the courts."
Streamwood SabresCoach: Jeff Szukala
Top returning players: Junior Maulik Nayi (No. 2 singles), sophomore Christopher Veltkamp (No. 1 singles)
Key newcomers: Sophomores Albert Benigno, Ian Lopez
Outlook: The Sabres are in good shape at the top of their singles lineup with the return of Veltkamp and Nayi at the two top spots. "Christopher has the ability to win the Upstate Eight singles championship," the coach said. Szukala also is pleased with the depth he has, which includes a talented group of underclassmen. "Having 25 kids out for the team allows is to run a varsity and JV level so that is our strength," he said.
Not responding to information requests: Elgin