Scouting Fox Valley boys tennis teams
Bartlett Hawks
Coach: Debbie Doyle
Top players: Seniors Shaan Amin, John Kissane, Nikhil Patel, Bobby Santucci, Robert Schuld, Rajbir Singh, juniors Roben Cleope, Umair Quraishi, sophomore Bradley Henning, freshmen Agnel Phillip, Aaron Smedley
Outlook: Singh is the team's captain this year. Doyle said Quraishi, Henning and Smedley will be 3 singles players to watch, as will the doubles team of Singh and Kissane. Doyle is assisted by Calel Pahl.
Cary-Grove Trojans
Coach: Bud Lachel
Top returning players: Junior Chris Federighi
Key newcomers: Juniors Tony Lullo, Mike Scott, Alex Koerber, Tom Carrol, Eric Rozolis, Carsten Galant, Mike Barrett, Joe Godawski, sophomore Matt Butler, freshmen Bob Pertil, Owne Russell
Outlook: Federighi went 30-9 as a sophomore and will man the No. 1 singles position this year. "We should be strong in singles, but we are young and inexperience in doubles," said Lachel. "We have five boys that could fill in very well at the three singles positions. We have a lot to do, but the boys are eager and willing to work. We hope to give everyone a good run for their money. If our doubles continue to work and come around, we could be in the top third (of the Fox Valley Conference). We need some good weather so we can get some quality practices in."
Crystal Lake South Gators
Coach: Don Nead
2009 record: 13-2 (10-1 and second place in Fox Valley Conference)
Top returning players: Seniors Scott Subak, Dan Arnold, Andy DeBoer, Brad Wiegand, Spencer Wilson, juniors Cam Laktash, Ryan Kinross
Key newcomers: Seniors Christian Lux, Zach Larson, juniors Matt Goodwin, Alex Zelasko, Nick Zelasko, sophomores Adam Kay, Jimmy Uvodich, freshman Brandon Jarva
Outlook: Laktash and Subak are both returning state doubles qualifiers (with different partners last season). "This team will be competitive in the Fox Valley Conference, but needs to improve," said Nead, who is in his 42nd season and has 478 career wins. "There will be much parity this year with several teams showing much improvement." Nead says Prairie Ridge, the winner of the last five FVC titles, is again the team to beat in the league.
Dundee-Crown Chargers
Coach: Harlan Miller
2009 finish: 2-13 (1-10 Fox Valley Conference)
Top returning players: Seniors Mike Gaffney, Adam Johnston, Steve Vincent, Liam Blume, junior Kevin Brandstatter
Key newcomers: Juniors Mike Hargrove, Alejandro Gonzalez, Patrick Buch, sophomore Joe Aschaker
Outlook: D-C graduated 7 starters from last year's squad. "With a young squad, we recognize the challenges ahead," said Miller. "Our aim is to compete to the best of our ability. We have a strong nucleus of guys and hope to develop a good team chemistry, develop our games and have fun." Gaffney is back after missing last season due to injury and illness. He could play No. 1 doubles with Vincent. Brandstatter will probably man the No. 1 singles position. "He's played some varsity for us at doubles," said Miller. "He will be thrown to the wolves in singles. We'll see what happens. He's a solid performer."
Elgin Maroons
Coach: Larry DeHaan
2009 finish: 6th place
Top returning players: Seniors Danny Keonavongsa, Tyler Altieri, Hiep Du, Andrew Chan, Kevin Thongsakounk
Key newcomers: Juniors Adam Hong, Danny Hegel, sophomores Mickel Canavas, Joel Dabandons, Brian Gonzalez, Tommy Wicker, Jordan Altieri, Sakda Kethdy, freshmen Eric Chai and Abe Hong.
Outlook: Numbers are strong at Elgin, as is the talent. "We've got a lot of kids out for the sport. We've got a good, healthy number of kids out playing ball," said DeHaan. "I'm very encouraged. We've got a good number of underclassmen playing that will be fine ball players. We're hoping these kids can play and develop this year." Keonavongsa will play No. 1 singles after turning in a considerably above .500 mark last year. Adam Hong will be at No. 2 singles, while cousins Hegel and Tyler Altieri will play No. 1 doubles. Canavas, a sophomore, will team with Du at No. 2 doubles. Sophomores Dabandons and Gonzalez are at No. 3 doubles. Kethdy is in the lineup as a sophomore at No. 4 doubles. "We've got kids that are at a good level of play right now," said DeHaan. "We will pose problems for people. I'm excited. This is a team with a great attitude and a lot of young talent and good senior leadership. I think we can be successful. We know Larkin has a really strong team and we know the Waubonsie Valleys and Neuqua Valleys and the St. Charles's are very strong and respectable schools. We know we can compete with them. I'm not making the claim we can beat them. I'm making the claim we should be taken seriously."
Elgin Academy Hilltoppers
Coach: Lyle Roebuck
2009 finish: Fourth place Independent School League
Top returning players: Seniors David Kaufman, Nick Garcia, junior Christian Lynn, sophomore Charlie Vogel
Key newcomers: Sophomore Clay Richards, freshman Andrew Dykun
Outlook: Lynn (No. 2 singles) is a returning state qualifier. Both Lynn and captain Kaufman (No. 1 singles) made it to the ISL tournament finals in their respective draws. Roebuck was named the ISL coach of the year last season. Vogel and Garcia will team at No. 1 doubles, while newcomers Dykun and Richards will play No. 3 doubles. "We essentially lost no good players to graduation and have picked up fresh talent on the young end," said Roebuck. Navigating in the ISL will once again be a challenge. "Ours is always a hard assignment, but we're looking to improve on last year's finish both in the conference season and in the tournament," said Roebuck. "Latin School and University High will probably prove to be the biggest challenges." Roebuck would also like to qualify "two or possibly four" players for the state tournament.
Hampshire Whip-Purs
Coach: Jon Betts
Top returning players: Seniors Farhan Shakeel, Mark Palmer, sophomore Christian De La Cruz.
Key newcomers: Freshman Samuel Hougland
Outlook: Hampshire, in its second season as a tennis program, has 28 athletes out for the sport. "We're really happy with that number considering the size of the high school," said Betts. "To have 28 out, we're pretty excited about those numbers." De La Cruz has been playing No. 1 singles for the team. Betts is looking for improvements in year two. "Last year was our first year," said Betts. "We're still building and trying to get the numbers up and get players developed. I think we can be competitive with a lot of schools. We've had a few matches already and we've been close in those matches. Realistically we're looking for a .500 season." Hampshire beat Woodstock North for its first win of the season. Hampshire is one of 3 teams in the Big Northern Conference with boys tennis (Marengo and Rockford Lutheran are the other two).
Huntley Red Raiders
Coach: Barry Wells
2009 record: 4-11
Top returning players: Juniors Eric Loboda, Mike Kamper, Brendan Bozic, Francis Ramirez, Tyler Reagan, Vance Alvarez, Ian Stellmach
Key newcomers: Sophomore Tanner Novalinski, David Molinowski
Outlook: Wells would like to see the team improve its win total from last year and be more competitive in Fox Valley Conference play. "We have good depth and experience," said Wells. "Most of our varsity team consisted of sophomores last year. We struggled last year, but gained a lot of experience that I think will pay off this year."
Jacobs Golden Eagles
Coach: Barry Hanrahan
2009 record: 15-8 (8-3 Fox Valley Conference)
Top returning athletes: Tom Schreiner, Mike Romor, Brandon Buettner, Colin Forbes, Kinchit Joshi
Outlook: Hanrahan noted he's got the largest freshman class likely to play varsity in his 5 seasons at the helm. "We've got strength in blending experience from strong seniors with inexperience and youth of the freshman group," said Hanrahan. Hanrahan knows the Fox Valley Conference schedule will be a tough assignment. "We need to stay strong mentally to compete in the Fox Valley Conference."
Larkin Royals
Coach: Bob Young
2009 finish: Fourth place Upstate Eight Conference
Top returning players: Seniors Nick Schlegel, Selwin Hansana, Eddie Senesombath, Sterling Perez, sophomore Evani Prado
Key newcomers: Seniors Eric Rappa, Dom Collins, Robert Goral, junior Andy Raupp, sophomore Mark Niemeier
Outlook: Schlegel (No. 1), Prado (No. 2), Goral and Raupp will see action in singles. Prado was 9-1 in the league last year. The No. 1 doubles duo of Hansana and Senesombath were 9-1 in the UEC last year and qualified for state. Perez is projected at No. 2 doubles, possibly with Rappa. Collins and Raupp could see action at No. 3 doubles, while Niemeier will be at No. 4 doubles. "This team has solid leadership at the top with returning first and second singles and a state-qualifying doubles team," said Young. "They have been through battles and are capable of working very hard. Typically, they respond well to coaching and are willing to do the little things right that make the difference in close matches." Young expects to encounter a tough conference schedule. "I hope that we come to compete each and every match," said Young. "There are no easy matches from top to bottom in the Upstate Eight. My expectation is that we will continue to improve and get better as the season wears on. They key to our success rests in how we respond to adversity and if we can mentally do the little things right to win. Over the last few seasons we have created a culture of success. However, success comes with a price and I hope that this team recognizes that and works harder and smarter to achieve their goals and grab the opportunity for success that is right in front of them."
St. Edward Green Wave
Coach: Jason Richardson
Top returning players: Senior Jim Cholewa, Louis Sandoval, juniors Anthony Abbate, Alex Koller, Charlie Shoemaker, Francis Zandoy
Outlook: Richardson, a longtime tennis player and a former baseball standout at Larkin, takes over the controls at St. Edward. "We're looking to do better than last year," said Richardson. "We want to be over .500 and have fun and make sure the kids are a lot better than when they started the season. We've got a good group. They're good guys that are fun to be around." Abbate will play No. 1 singles. "He's pretty good," said Richardson. "He's only going to get better and he's only a junior." Sandoval and Koller comprise the No. 1 doubles team for the Green Wave.
South Elgin Storm
Coach: Jennifer Shaughnessy
2009 finish: Ninth place Upstate Eight Conference
Top returning players: Colin Ferry, Zach Bohlin, Rowell Siazon
Key newcomers: Junior Brandon Vonsaga, freshman Randy Felker
Outlook: Ferry will move up to No. 1 singles after taking fourth in conference at No. 2 singles last year. Bohlin will move from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 singles, while Siazon will remain at No. 1 doubles. Felker (singles) and Vonsaga (doubles) will also contribute. "I only had 1 senior graduate last year, so my team is made up of mostly juniors," said Shaughnessy. "Many of them have been playing together since they were freshmen on the team so they are very comfortable with one another and work well together. Doubles play should be stronger this year. They are more experienced. Singles should be strong as well. My top two spots are my most experienced players." Shaughnessy is hopeful the team can improve in conference play. "We should be much improved over last season," she said. "This year I know where they are at ability-wise and we are taking every practice from that spot. We have been working on many specifics. I want them to focus on one specific every match and really master it. With improved doubles play, I want to see more team wins."
Streamwood Sabres
Coach: Miriam Abe
Top returning players: Senior Brian Phetmeuangmay
Key newcomers: Juniors John Mikula, Jonathan Aguirre, Robby Clark, Daniel Radovanovic, Felippe Correia, freshman Kosuke Enami
Outlook: Phetmeuangmay is the lone returning varsity player from last year. He'll once again play No. 1 doubles, this time with freshman Enami. Mikula (No. 2 doubles), Aguirre (No. 2 doubles), Clark (No. 3 singles) and Radovanovic (No. 1 singles) are up from the junior varsity squad last year. Correia will play No. 2 singles. While varsity experience is thin, Abe is charging full speed ahead. "They are very coachable and they get along well," said Abe. "We will try to do our best, but it is going to be tough. The players do not have much experience. The goal for the team is to get the most experience they can for the season so next year we can start much stronger."