Summer work benefiting Glenbard North's Powers now

Senior Nathan Powers spent many days last summer at the Glenbard North tennis courts working on his serve.

"I'd come here with a bucket of balls just by myself when nobody else could play," Powers said.

"(My goal is) not really double faulting too much. I get the ball over so I can have a chance to win the point."

On Wednesday, Powers and the Panthers served up a 6-1 nonconference victory over Fenton in Carol Stream.

Sophomore and 2016 state singles qualifier Sean Boland won 6-0, 6-0 at No. 1 singles, and Powers won 6-1, 6-0 at No. 2 for the Panthers (1-2).

Other winners were senior Vraj Patel and freshman Kenneth Lim at Nos. 3 and 4 singles and seniors Brian Nguyen and Jesus Herrera at No. 2 doubles and juniors Neal Dadlani and Jerrin John at No. 3 doubles.

Senior Joe Andrews and sophomore Jeff Andrews won 6-1, 6-2 at No. 1 doubles for the Bison (1-1).

In the only match requiring a third-set super tiebreaker, Nguyen and Herrera edged Fenton seniors Kishan Patel and Jakub Jozwik 2-6, 6-0, 10-8. Herrera, a move-in from Ecuador, filled in for senior regular Ben Tran.

"We're definitely stronger than last year, more depth," Glenbard North coach Doug Clark said. "We're pretty strong at singles and we'll be pretty good at tournaments."

Powers is among seven returning starters and several returning seniors.

This is Powers' third varsity season and second at No. 2 singles. He was No. 1 singles for the 2014 sophomore team and No. 4 varsity singles his sophomore year.

"We're looking better, stronger in a lot more positions than last year," Powers said. "(No. 2 last year) was a big jump. Everything about their games were better. If I knew who they were or if Sean knew them from USTA (tournaments), I'd let it get in my head a little but last year but this year I'm not."

Also a four-year wrestler, Powers is coming off his best season. He started varsity for the first time at 195, giving away roughly 20 pounds, and earned the Most Improved Award and Perry Fulk Award for highest grade-point average.

"He's one of my captains. He's got great leadership skills," said Clark, a former wrestling coach. "Nathan is just a much stronger kid (this season). He's got by far the best serve on the team, by far. Other coaches will comment. (And) he's a lot more confident."

Nobody can question the toughness of a matured Boland. At the 2016 Naperville North sectional he won his first two matches in three sets to earn a top-four, state-qualifying finish.

"It was crazy coming back, being down 3-6 my first match and then splitting sets my second - the pressure knowing you're one set away from making state," Boland said.

"(State) was incredible but also hard at the same time because all of the players there are really good. It was a challenge."

At the 2016 Conant sectional Fenton's Andrews brothers came one victory from state. They began last season at Nos. 1 and 2 singles but joined forces late in the season and won the Metro Suburban Conference title.

"We both did poorly as singles players. We started to realize the chemistry we had as brothers really translated well to the court. And we have fun with it," Joe Andrews said.

"We joke around a lot but his ground strokes and my game really fit well together. (Last season) we had the fundamental skills and movement ideas down. It's just getting more consistent. I know what he's going to do before he knows."

After losing their season opener to Maine West, the Andrews brothers have won seven straight with one third-set tiebreaker against Glenbard East.

"We're looking to win sectionals this year and go to state," Jeff Andrews said. "(Joe) covers a lot of space with his long body so it makes my job easier, and his game tends to complement my game well so it's fun."

Last season Boland and the Panthers were tested by the tough DuPage Valley Conference. They were winless in league duals and finished ninth yet were 10-9 overall.

So far this season they've lost 7-0 to state title contender Naperville Central and Waubonsie Valley. Against Waubonsie, Boland and Nguyen-Tran lost in three sets.

"(Last year was) a good learning experience because then you got mentally and physically tougher for the other matches to come," Boland said. "It felt good just keeping the focus (to reach state), making sure I was prepared for every match."

"He's as good as pretty much anybody I've ever had," Clark said. "He's got great ground strokes. If he wants to get to the next tier, he has to get a much more powerful serve. If he gets that, there's no stopping him."