Now playing solo, Bauman in control

It's a whole different ballgame this year for Kevin Bauman of Naperville Central.

Bauman, who qualified for the state tennis tournament last year with now-graduated partner Neal Walters, is going solo this time around, and he's anchoring the Redhawks' lineup from the first-singles position.

On Thursday Bauman scored a 6-1, 6-1 victory to lead the host Redhawks (6-2, 1-0) to a 7-0 win over West Aurora (2-5, 0-2) in Naperville Central's DuPage Valley Conference opener.

Bauman, a junior, who also serves as the team's co-captain, believes his game is much better because of last year's experience at doubles where he and Walters made it to 25-32 in state.

"It was a lot of fun playing with Neal last year and getting to state," Bauman said. "He was a great captain and a great leader. He was really in charge on the doubles court. He really helped me and helped my game."

Bauman said the doubles game helped him improve his backhand and made him much better at coming to the net.

However, his natural game as a baseline player is more suited to singles play.

"My forehand is really working and my backhand is pretty good," Bauman said. "I was happy with my serve today. I need to work on coming in on the ball, on making it rise a little more and not hitting off my back foot.

While Bauman is critical of his own game, Naperville Central coach Dan Brown is just fine with having him at the No. 1 position.

"Kevin is a great all-around player and a real competitor," Brown said. "His game has improved tremendously since last season, and I believe he can accomplish his goals. This team has really good depth, and there's a lot of competition for the sectional team at second singles and both doubles teams but not at first singles. We're set with Kevin."

"I want to get to state this year and do as well as or better than Neal and I did last year." Bauman said. "That's going to be hard at singles, but it will be a challenge."

In Thursday's meet the Redhawks won all seven spots with little trouble.

Second singles Shawn Hong and fourth singles David Murray both pitched 6-0, 6-0 shutouts, while third doubles Gautham Bala and Brian Chiou won 6-1, 6-0.

"The 7-0 team score is very important in conference," Brown said. "We won the DVC last year by a half point, so every match counts. I believe this year's conference championship will be decided again at the conference tournament, and it could come down to us and Naperville North again. In matches like these I encourage the guys to work on their games and come off the court a better tennis player than when they went on. And today every one of our guys worked on the things he needs to work on."

West Aurora acting head coach Meagan Venear was impressed by Naperville Central's performance.

"They can keep a rally going and their placement was great," Venear said. "We don't have their consistency, but with hard work we'll be better later in the season."