Scouting Lake County boys tennis
Boys tennis scouting report
Players to watch
David Alvaro, soph., Vernon Hills; Garrett Anderson, jr., Antioch; Dan Avampato, sr., Carmel; Blake Bazarnik, jr., Stevenson; Denis Bogatov, sr., Warren; Chris Butler, jr., Carmel; Geoff Butler, fr., Carmel; Nate Campanile, fr., Grayslake North; Joey Davis, sr., Lakes; Matt Davis, soph., Grayslake Central; Jon Donnowitz, sr., Warren; Etham Frenkel, sr., Stevenson; Mitch Granger, soph., Grayslake Central; Randall Haylock, sr., Lakes; Riaz Hoveydai, sr., Vernon Hills; Peter Kopacz, jr., Grayslake Central; Oner Mendrano, sr., Round Lake; Mark Miedziejewski, sr., Round Lake; Tyler Miller, sr., Lake Zurich; Spencer Look, sr., Carmel; David Packowitz, soph., Stevenson; Roy Pienaar, sr., Grayslake Central; Taras Popovich, sr., Round Lake; Ross Putterman, soph., Stevenson; Michael Redlicki, fr., Lake Zurich; Sam Rong, jr., Vernon Hills; Josh Rosenberg, soph., Lakes; Justin Scrivner, sr., Round Lake; Eric Seiler, soph., Warren; Nikola Trukov, soph., Warren; Tyler Ward, fr., Antioch; Erik Wolf, jr., Lake Zurich; Andrew Yopp, sr., Lakes.
Court sense
Lake Zurich freshman Michael Redlicki moves right into No. 1 singles. He is a seasoned player with an excellent chance of qualifying for the state tournament. Erik Wolf and Tyler Miller also stand a good chance of advancing to state at No. 1 doubles. The Bears have an intriguing combination of returning players and strong additions to the roster. - Stevenson came agonizingly close to winning a state championship last season, and if things break right this could be the year the Patriots reach their goal. In junior Blake Bazarnik and senior Etham Frenkel, the Patriots have one of the best 1-2 singles combinations in Illinois. Sophomores David Packowitz and Ross Putterman are one of the state's best doubles teams. The duo placed second at the state meet as freshmen. Remarkably, 25 of the 32 players in Stevenson's program are freshmen and sophomores. - Warren returns four of the six players who competed at the sectional tournament last year and helped the Blue Devils place sixth at state. At singles, defending state champion Denis Bogatov returns. Bogatov will play next year for Michigan State. Senior Jon Donnowitz, a state qualifier in singles, also returns. Last year's No. 2 doubles team of Nikola Trukov and Eric Seiler moves up to the No. 1 spot. Once again, the Blue Devils will play a fierce regular season schedule that should have them well prepared for the season's stretch run. - Antioch should be one of the main challengers for the Prairie Division title. Junior Garrett Anderson prepared diligently for this season and will again handle the No. 1 singles spot. Freshman Tyler Ward is at No. 2 singles and will frustrate opponents with his ability to keep the ball in play. Ward is a patient player and perfectly willing to play long points. Antioch does not rely much on seniors so this could be the start of an exciting run for the tennis program. - Lakes won the Prairie Division title last year and has a good chance to defend its crown. Coach Bryan Plinske said this year's team has a bunch of players who can hit the ball with pace and dictate points. Andrew Yopp may switch from singles to doubles and could be paired with senior Randall Haylock. If Yopp makes the move, the top singles players will be Joey Davis and Josh Rosenberg. - Round Lake coach Pat Costello has a flexible roster and can plug his top players in at either singles or doubles. Seniors Oner Mendrano, Taras Popovich, Justin Scrivner and Mark Miedziejewski have all improved since last year. The key for Round Lake will be limiting its unforced errors. - Vernon Hills will once again be a factor in the Prairie Division race. Junior Sam Rong returns at No. 1 singles as does senior Riaz Hoveydai at No. 1 doubles. This year, Hoveydai will partner with sophomore David Alvaro. - For Carmel, the Butler brothers will make a big impact. Junior Chris Butler will play first doubles with Dan Avampato. Freshman Geoff Butler looks to have secured the No. 1 singles slot. Avampato was part of the No. 2 doubles team last year that won conference. Carmel should contend for the East Suburban Catholic Conference title. On days when the weather has been particularly brutal, Carmel has honed its mental game by watching tapes of the Davis Cup. - Grayslake Central's Mitch Granger just missed qualifying for state last year and could make his first appearance this season. Roy Pienaar is coming off a 13-victory season. - Grayslake North freshman Nate Campanile, sophomore Matt Davis and junior Peter Kopacz will handle the first three singles spots. All three are relatively evenly matched and are battling to see who plays where. The Knights lost eight seniors to graduation so this will be a largely new-look team.