Tri-Cities boys tennis season preview
It’s been some time since boys tennis in our area saw such a large number of exceptional players, ranging in age from senior to freshman, populating the rosters of all of the programs.
There’s terrific talent across the top of each school’s lineup, and some interesting players in the 2 and 3 slots as well. That’s not to suggest there won’t be major challenges for every team and difficult questions for coaches to answer, because there always are. But even among most of the individual coaches there is a recognition that this season should be an especially entertaining one.
“There’s definitely a lot of talent in this area right now,” St. Charles North coach Sean Masoncup said. “There are going to be some really good matches, and it should be fun.”
A few teams already have depth and will rely on it to balance out their lineups. For others, the lower half of the lineup remains a work in progress.
Batavia is one of those teams. Anchored by junior Josh Kogan, who finished seventh in the state after an undefeated regular season and conference tournament, the Bulldogs will be as tough at top of their lineup as anyone in the area.
“Josh is a team captain, elected by the other players,” Batavia coach Bob Kummer said. “Having someone like him at the top of the lineup means a win for us, and it also allows the other players to play at their true level.”
One of those players is Ryan Sterling, a talented freshman with tournament experience, who will be slotted into No. 2 singles.
“Ryan will have to perform well, and I expect him to,” Kummer said. “He could be playing first singles for many teams.”
Two other freshmen, Jeff Louden and Tim Murat, will split time between singles and doubles.
“I’m hoping that our combination of talent, experience, and inexperience will turn into victories as we work together and improve as a team,” Kummer said.
Kyle Stiffling (jr.) and Alek Mizikar (jr.) will team up at the top of the doubles side, and Kummer feels confident the duo can translate their experience into season-long success. Batavia will need that to happen early on as the rest of the doubles lineup comes together.
Connor Propp and Luke Kuzmanic, both seniors, will play No. 2, while Chris Havast, a gifted athlete, and Chan Jeon, who was dogged by an ankle injury last year, will be key to filling out the rest of the lineup.
A year ago, the Bulldogs struggled in close matches, and posted a 7-22 record in 3-setters on the doubles side. Kummer knows that was the difference between a memorable season and the very frustrating one that 2010 turned out to be.
“I’m hoping we can build team and individual confidence and turn good matches into wins, that didn’t always happen last year,” Kummer said. “We have guys who know tennis, know how to move, how to control the net, and really like the game.”
Over the past three years, few players in the area have controlled the net as well as St. Charles North’s John Mittvick. The senior powerhouse who, with former partner David Johnson, made regular trips to state as one half of the best doubles in the program’s history, will now step into the role of top singles player for the North Stars.
With Johnson having graduated, Masoncup believes that the move to singles for the conference season makes sense for Mittvick and the North Stars.
“The great thing about John is that he’s so versatile,” Masoncup said. “I know that no matter where I play him he’s going to be successful.”
The North Stars also have reason to expect success from their top doubles team of senior Parker Featherston and junior Danny Oakes, a duo that qualified for state last year. And there may not be much of a drop off at second doubles, where seniors Pat Corrigan and John Terwilliger figure to win a bunch of matches, giving St. Charles North a tough one-two punch at the top.
“Pat and John have worked hard and really stepped up their game,” Masoncup said.
Grant Spellman, a freshman, will be playing third doubles, but the rest of the lineup is still in flux, and that’s something of a new experience for Masoncup, who usually has his roster set as early as any coach in the area.
“I have four players competing for the last three doubles spots,” Masoncup said. “We’ve been playing a lot of doubles matches, and the best thing about it is I will be very happy with whoever ends up there.”
The singles side is set, with sophomore Dominick Almaraj at second, and Ian Walden, a senior, at third.
“We’re not predicting we’re going to win the conference, but that’s our No. 1 goal,” Masoncup said. “We just need to be a team that is very dedicated to our type of tennis, and we’ll be strong up and down the lineup.”
Geneva also has the makings of a solid lineup. There are no question marks, just exclamation points at the top of both the singles and doubles sides for the Vikings.
Colin Rapp enters his senior season as the No. 1 singles player, after winning the conference last year at second doubles, and qualifying for state. West Adelman, a junior beginning his third season on varsity will be at second singles.
“Colin and West are fairly close in ability,” Geneva coach Peter Burkhardt said.
Nick Huang, a freshman with USTA experience, could be a force at third singles.
There’s more good news for the Vikings on the doubles side as seniors Ryan Barnard and Kevin Potts team up at No. 1.
“On any given day any one of our doubles teams can beat any other, and that’s a good problem to have,” Burkhardt said.
Chris Moran (sr.) and Ryan Doeckal (fr.) are a bit of a work in progress at second doubles, but one that Burkhardt is looking forward to seeing develop into a solid duo.
“They’re a little rough around the edges, but they have good strokes and net skills, and they could be very good,” Burkhardt said.
Tyler Livingston, who might also see some time in singles matches, will pair with fellow senior Reid Chlasta at third doubles. Juniors Brad Reedy and Chad Barber will round out the doubles side. Senior Mark Kennedy will be used as a swing man who can play both singles and doubles.
“We should have very good balance and depth,” Burkhardt said. “We have some strong returning players, some kids with experience, and a few excellent young players.”
Youth is certainly be a big part of Marmion’s lineup this season, as the Cadets will rely on a number of freshmen and sophomores. But the biggest newcomer for the Cadets may be head coach John Tsang, who takes over a program that Pat Mauer built into a winner during his successful tenure.
Of course, Tsang is anything but new to coaching, and he knows a thing or two about building successful programs, having done just that at Rosary over the past nine years.
“When the opportunity presented itself and (Marmion Athletic Director) Joe Chivari called me about it, I talked to my bother Dave, who’s my assistant coach, and we were able to move our schedules around a little bit and commit to it,” Tsang said.
Though 50 kids came out for tennis at Marmion this spring, only a few brought a significant level of playing experience with them, and only three players from last year’s varsity squad are back.
“We have a young team, and we’re still trying to figure out where everyone fits in,” Tsang said. “As each day progresses we’re getting a better idea of how each player can contribute.”
Will Graft, a junior, and sophomore Jackson Rettig will play first doubles. Dan DiBartolo and fellow junior Reid Weigelmann could form another possible doubles team.
Chris Patterman, a junior who played second singles last year will move up to the top spot.
Freshman John Graft will play singles, while Ricky Angsten will see playing time on both halves of the lineup. Angsten may pair up with fellow freshman Kevin Hoffs.
“We have a lot of good talent at the freshman level.” Tsang said. “We’re expecting every match to be tough. I really do have a very young team here.”
Sophomore Lucas Wilson, who has been impressive in practice, could also find a place in the lineup.
It’s a safe bet the Cadets will show significant improvement as the team gels throughout the season. Much remains in flux as Tsang familiarizes himself with a team that he took over less than a month ago.
“I believe in setting goals on a team and personal basis, not just on the court, but also what each player can take away from the experience of playing tennis,” Tsang said. “What matters most is what the players learn from being out there battling and working to get better.”
Some freshmen begin their high school careers with a great deal of experience and lofty expectations. That’s the case at St. Charles East, where Jasper Koenen, whose sisters Annameijn and Liselot were standouts across town at St. Charles North, will step right in at No. 1 singles.
“He’s a very powerful player who knows where to put the ball,” St. Charles East coach Rob Livermore said. “He’s played a lot of matches.”
Sophomore Justin Bowman, a state qualifier in his freshman season, will play second singles. Koenen and Bowman will give the Saints a major edge over most opponents at singles.
“They’re a key for us,” Livermore said. “Those guys should be really strong.”
Nick Maze (sr.) and Connor Davis (jr.), who played third doubles last year will move up to the top spot. Mike Muir and Barry Sullivan, both juniors are penciled in at second doubles, while the senior/freshman duo of Sam Decker and Matt McCarthy will be playing third.
George Spoerl, another freshman, will also be part of the doubles lineup.
The Saints are going to rely on their talent at singles as well as their strength and experience at the top of the doubles side. The result may be a memorable season on the city’s northeast side.
“We’ve got a legitimate shot to go for the conference title,” Livermore said. “That’s our focus right now.”
West Aurora may not be ready to compete for a conference title, but there’s good reason to be hopeful as the Blackhawks have more talent and depth going into this season than they’ve had in the past several years.
Junior Matt Kuntzi is back at No. 1 singles, joined by his brother Nick, a freshman, at No. 2. Or, they may wind up playing together as the Blackhawks’ top doubles team. Either way, West Aurora coach Adam Camp will be counting on the Kuntzis to nail down a great many wins.
“Matt and Nick have played both singles and doubles, and they have improved a lot,” Camp said. “I’m excited to see them improve even more as players and blossom together as a doubles team for the sectional.”
When the Kuntzis are playing the top two singles slots, Kennan Johnson, a junior will be at third singles. Luke Nebelsick and Luke Frauenhoff, both seniors, will see some time at singles.
Frauenhoff and Johnson might also pair up at doubles, as Camp plans to experiment and try out different combinations.
Alex Contini and James Brink are penciled in for third doubles, while seniors Mike Nava, Robert Espinoza, and Bryce Johnson will also be in the doubles mix.
Matt Kuntzi’s growth as a player and the addition of his brother Nick should certainly provide a nice boost for the West Aurora, but the DuPage Valley Conference hasn’t gotten any easier, and the Blackhawks will once again have to struggle through some rough afternoons.
Still, this is a team that could surprise some opponents, and pick up a few more wins than they have in recent memory.
“Conference-wise, we’re about at the same level as last year,” Camp said. “But I really like the players we have at the top, and we also have some good players at the lower half of our lineup.”