Boys tennis: Freshmen lead Wheaton North past Lake Park

One of the few things that Wheaton North freshman Kevin Li has played longer than tennis is the violin.

"I'd say honestly tennis is less stressful," Li said. "I found out with violin, even if I take a long time off and I come back to it, I feel fine. For tennis it kind of requires a little more practice, but I find it a more fun."

Li has been unfazed in his first high school tennis season - even as a No. 1 singles player. On Thursday he remained undefeated in DuPage Valley Conference play as the Falcons edged Lake Park 4-3 in Roselle.

Li won 6-0, 6-3 over Lake Park senior Piotr Lada (6-3), a returning state qualifier. Li's only loss this season is to Conant freshman Vera Iyer.

"I enjoy playing other good players from other high schools. I know them from (United States Tennis Association tournaments)," Li said. "I've seen (Lada) play at other tournaments and he's beaten some really good players so I was ready when I went into the match. I was happy with the way I played."

Other freshmen from both teams enjoyed big days.

For Wheaton North (7-4, 3-1), freshman Chase Bremner stayed undefeated at No. 2 singles. Also winning were the No. 1 doubles team of seniors Grant O'Connell and Jack Woods and junior Bunch Ros at No. 3 singles. Both are 3-1 in DVC action.

In three sets Lake Park freshman Tyler Ferengul rallied to win his varsity debut at No. 4 singles, and freshman Nick Sapic and junior Aayush Patel prevailed at No. 2 doubles. Senior Phil Macias and junior Miles DeWaele also won at No. 3 doubles for the Lancers (7-3, 1-3).

Li and Bremner attended Franklin Middle School. Li has played violin for 10 years and tennis six. Li's older sister, Lulu, is a 2014 Wheaton North graduate who played tennis and badminton.

Bremner is the oldest child in his family. His father, John, was a standout tennis player at St. Francis, and his aunts were outstanding volleyball players for the Spartans.

"I've been playing pretty well," Bremner said. "I like being on the team. It's a fun experience. I just hope our team does well. My goal is to make state."

The Falcons' lineup also was bolstered when O'Connell could return after nearly being sidelined by back problems. In 2015 O'Connell and Woods were, separately, one sectional singles and doubles victory from state berths.

"(Li and Bremner are) playing really well," Wheaton North coach Eric Laird said. "To have two freshmen at Nos. 1 and 2 is really nice, to know that they could potentially be around a few years. It just moves everyone else down and makes (the lineup) stronger down the road."

Lake Park had two hard-earned, three-set victories. Ferengul, formerly the junior varsity's No. 1 singles player, lost his first set 6-1 but then outlasted James Volpe 7-5, 6-2 in the final match to be completed.

"It was just tough, my first varsity match. I really can't say how proud I am," Ferengul said. "I just kind of kept my chin up. I was a little bit down on myself but I swung the momentum. I just started playing really, really good, realized I had a shot and just kept with it."

Sapic and Patel had a crazy momentum swing with Ryan Berg and Griffin Jeanette. Although the Lancers were blanked in the second set, they recovered to win 6-4, 0-6, 6-3. It's already the third three-set victory for Sapic and Patel (8-1) this season.

"I told Aayush our second match of the season we were down 2-5 and came back and won it 7-5," Sapic said. "This is a huge thing for us. It builds our confidence even more."

"It's always close against Wheaton North," Lake Park coach Tim Martin said. "(Sapic and Patel are) very talented and they've got good chemistry. They really get into it. They're finding a way to win the close matches.

"And just so proud of (Ferengul). He loses the first set 6-1, but there was no quit. He earned this opportunity and he made the most of it."