Boys tennis: Hersey steps forward in test against Prospect
When it comes to Mid-Suburban East boys tennis supremacy, it's been Hersey or Prospect for quite some time now.
And this season, based on Thursday's outcome, it's clearly Hersey.
The Huskies (9-2-0, 3-0-0) swept singles play and added key victories from their Nos. 1 and 2 doubles teams to secure a 5-2 victory in inching closer to the East Division title.
"The Hersey-Prospect rivalry has become an exciting one these past few years, but after Brad's guys won it last year in the final match of the day (4-3) to clinch the East title, my guys were really anxious to come out and win, and maybe close out the Knights," said Hersey coach Andy Walton.
The Huskies have Elk Grove and Wheeling remaining in league play, while the Knights (7-3-0, 2-1-0) have yet to face Wheeling and Rolling Meadows.
"Coming into this match, we knew that Hersey has two very strong players at the top of its singles lineup, and that our overall depth has been the strength of this team," said Prospect coach Brad Rathe. "So we needed to get a couple of wins here and there in order to win.
"But Andy's guys came through when they had to, and credit to them for doing so."
The top of that Huskies lineup centers around its top two at singles, freshman Max Sheldon and junior Kevin Mi.
They dropped just five games between them en route to straight-set victories. Sheldon won 6-2, 6-0 over Mikey Gavrincea, while Mi prevailed in just under an hour against Phil Kotis 6-1, 6-2.
"We are very fortunate to have added a player like Max, who plays at a very high level," said Walton "It allows us to move Kevin to the No. 2 spot to make us that much stronger, because Kevin could easily play No. 1 for several teams."
Sheldon, who earned a 9-16 seed in this weekend's prestigioius Pitchford 32, has been effective in his role as the Huskies' top player.
"Playing high school tennis is a lot of fun, it's great to be a part of a team and to be playing quality opponents almost every time I go out," said Sheldon, who opens Friday at the 32 on his home courts against Alex Geivlous from St. Charles North.
Filip Kempa completed the singles sweep for Hersey with a 6-1, 7-6 (4) decision over Tim Munao.
Dom Anthony/Jace Coffaro got the Huskies off to a flying start at doubles with a 6-1, 6-4 win over Peter Velic/Noah Hellstrom.
"The two of us complement each other really well, and each of us take turns providing the emotional and vocal spirit to help us get through our matches," said Coffaro, who played alongside Anthony two season ago before reforming their terrific partnership the spring for Hersey.
"The team chemistry is great this year," said Anthony. "We all pick each other up when it's needed, which is one of the big reasons for our success thus far."
The Huskies' top tandem faces Moline's Ryba/Wieners in its 32 opener at the Buffalo Grove venue Friday.
"Dom and I are really looking forward to the 32, we hope to get a couple of wins along the way, and maybe upset a high seed this weekend," Coffaro said.
Dan Gankov/Sam Bay got past Prospect's Alex Weseman/Nick Egea 7-5, 6-3. Bay hit a big winner at the net, followed by a Gankov ace, to deny the Knights a third set.
Prospect earned victories at Nos. 3 and 4 doubles. Ethan Mick/Cam Gates won 6-0, 6-3, while John Gut/Dennis Hsaio were forced to a third set before prevailing, 6-1, 3-6, 6-0 against Matt Skiko/Kevin Callahan.
"This was another hard-fought match between two division rivals, and one that has become fun to be a part of at the same time," Rathe said.