Boys tennis: Scouting the Fox Valley
Aurora Central CatholicCoach: Mike Cowen (7th year)
Conference: Metro Suburban
2015 record: 8-12
Top returning athletes: Liam Doyle (jr.), Eddie Cange (jr.), Jacob Decker (jr.), Luke Bumstead (jr.)
Top newcomers: Jonas Cebulski (fr.)
Season outlook: The Chargers expect to be among the top teams in the Metro Suburban behind Wheaton Academy and star singles player Ty Krill thanks to a veteran nucleus led by Cange. The junior developed his game significantly in the off-season and is set to take over the first singles spot. A talented newcomer, Cebulski, will likely pair up with Doyle at first doubles, giving ACC a strong core atop its lineup. “They are our best players,” Cowen said. “Between the three of them, they will play first singles and first doubles, and they are all solid. Our team won't be a pushover for anyone.” Decker and Bumstead will also play key roles in the lineup once spots are settled.
BartlettCoach: Colleen Brandner (3rd year)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2015 record: 5th in UEC-Valley
Top returning athletes: Justin Howes (sr.), Brandon Pepa (sr.), Allen Johansen (sr.), Jordan Li (sr.), Peter Devereaux (so.), Shil Shaw (jr.), Joshua Sellers (sr.), Alex Salatino (jr.)
Season outlook: The Hawks should be strong in doubles as Howes and Pepa teamed up last year for a 3-1 record in conference and placed third in the UEC Valley tournament. Shaw and Sellers also return to fill the No. 2 doubles slot. Li and Devereux give the Hawks a solid duo in singles while Brandner hopes that a strong group of freshmen will contribute at the bottom of the lineup. “Led by our seniors, the team's enthusiasm is contagious,” Brandner said. “I am looking forward to the seniors leading the new players into creating a cohesive team. We had 22 players the first year I was here and we've succeeded in getting our numbers up to 48 players this year.”
BataviaCoach: Brad Nelson (4th year, 49-18-1 career record)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2015 record: 16-4, second in Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: Andrew Nelson (sr.), Nick Robinson (sr.), Emerson Hinzy (sr.), Tommy Maren (jr.), Will McClure (so.), Patrick Hanrahan (sr.)
Top newcomers: Cam Marbach (jr.), Tony Marino (sr.), Max Marsico (sr.), Matt Cave (jr.), Nathan Schultz (Jr), Robert Carr (jr.)
Season outlook: Although they must replace three graduated starters — Adam Maris at first singles, Josh Boyle at second singles and James Carr at first doubles — the Bulldogs are one of the favorites in the conference by virtue of returning six key starters from last year's UEC River runner-up team. Robinson transitions from first doubles to first singles to fill the shoes of Maris, while Nelson, a three-time conference doubles champion, moves to first doubles after reaching his first state tournament last spring. He'll team up with Hinzy, his doubles partner in 2014 and a two-time UEC doubles champ. The three seniors form the core of a lineup that will bank many of its hopes on five new starters: Marbach (second singles), Marino (third singles), Robert Carr (third doubles with Hanrahan) and Schultz and Cave (fourth doubles). How the seniors handle heightened new roles and how quickly the newcomers adjust to varsity action will determine Batavia's fate in a deep and competitive River Division. “(St. Charles) East, (St. Charles) North and Geneva will all be bringing back some experienced players. We will all battle it out for top honors,” Brad Nelson said. “North would be considered the favorite as they bring back seven of their 11 starters from the conference championship team of a year ago. It should be an interesting race. We will be traveling to Troy (IL) for the second time to play in the Troy Invite in early April. Our guys have all worked hard in the offseason. I am anxious to see them compete.”
Cary-GroveCoach: Amanda Schuetzle (6th year, 77-35 record)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2015 record: 14-5, 4-1
Top returning athletes: Regan Cossey (sr.), Chris Kownick (sr.), Curt Norton (sr.), Matt Price (sr.), Michael Ptaszek (so.), Nate Weber (sr.).
Top newcomers: Hayden Collier (sr.), Troy Turner (sr.), Quinn Gliniecki (jr.), Kevin McDonald (jr.), Sam Sitarski (jr.), Luke Weber (sr.).
Season outlook: The Trojans graduated their top two singles and doubles teams from last season, including state doubles qualifiers Kevin Budreck and Mitch Kedzior, and No. 1 singles player Kyle Venet, but return a large group that Schuetzle believes will combine to form a solid lineup from top to bottom. “It's definitely a regrouping year. We not only lost many senior starters, but lost starters that had been at the top of the lineup for the past two years,” Schuetzle said. “We might not have big hitters at the No. 1 singles and No. 2 doubles spots, but will have depth throughout the rest of the lineup. We will be looking to our lower positions to bring home the wins we will need.”
Crystal Lake SouthCoach: Don Nead (38th year, 429-136)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2015 record: 9-7, 7-5
Top returning athletes: Nick Thome (jr.), Nick Baitto (sr.), Kyle Furtek (sr.), Matt Kolarczyk (sr.), Alex Sardjed (sr.), Will Sudbrook (so.).
Top newcomers: Zach Rulf (jr.), Alex Freeman (fr.), Adam Kretchmer (sr.), Pratik Iyer (sr.), Conner McGuire (sr.).
Season outlook: Nead believes that the return of top singles player Thome from ACL surgery will help bolster the lineup from top to bottom. The remainder of players will likely rotate between singles and doubles depending on the matchup. With Jacobs and Prairie Ridge looking to be the class of the conference, the Gators hope to be in the mix for third place. “We've had a good spring, so I'm getting a better handle on what they can do. We had several challenges and I want to have a few more to determine positions in the lineup,” Nead said. “Getting Nick (Thome) back increases our depth and makes the team more competitive. We definitely want to do better than our sixth-place finish last year at the conference tournament. Outside of Jacobs and Prairie Ridge, we should be right there with the rest of them.”
Dundee-CrownCoach: Cally Genson (1st year)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2015 record: 4-8
Top returning athletes: Albert Dziadkowiec (sr.), Chase Nelson (so.), Eduardo Garcia (jr.), Jack Miller (so.), Matthew Krispin (so.).
Top newcomers: Russell Bergeron (sr.), Daniel Medford (sr.), Zach Grabowski (fr.), Sneh Shah (fr.)
Season outlook: The Chargers graduated state qualifiers Dither Rangel and Chad Wagner from a solid squad that placed third in sectionals last year, but Dzaidkowiec will be moving up to play No. 1 singles while Chase Nelson and Garcia will hold down the No. 1 doubles slot. Miller and Krispin played doubles on JV last year and will remain partners. “Albert has improved over the offseason and his presence on the court is one to be reckoned with. Chase and Eduardo have great communication skills on the court and consistent, powerful serves,” Gensen said. “With the changing of the coaching staff this team has shown incredible flexibility and patience. The program is continuing to build and expand and we work extremely well together as a team. While we may be one of the smaller teams we have plenty of heart, desire, and talent.”
East AuroraCoach: Susan Skelley (43rd year)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2015 record: 17-6
Top returning athletes: Jesus Suarez (jr.), Jacob Zepeda (sr.), Emmitt Handley (sr.), Jose Rivera (sr.), Luis Galvez (so.)
Top newcomers: Angel Ramos (so.), Uriel Heynez (sr.), Andres Martinez (so.), Diego Terrazas (so.), Michah Hook (so.), Jorge Vega (jr.), Jesus Lozoya (sr.)
Season outlook: The Tomcats are either in rebuilding or reloading mode after graduating seven starters from last year's squad, including Oscar Becerra (first singles), now playing for Waubonsee Community College, Matt Zinzer (second singles), now at Arcadia College, and Martin Martinez (second doubles), also at Waubonsee. Skelley believes the talent is there to simply reload and be a contender in the UEC Valley. Suarez replaces Becerra at first singles, while Zepeda slides in at second singles, and varsity rookie Ramos moves in at third singles to give East Aurora a reliable trio. Handley and Rivera provide veteran experience at first doubles, while Galvez, Heynez, Martinez, Terrazas, Hook, Vega and Lozoya vie for spots at second through fourth doubles.
ElginCoach: Phet Rattana (1st year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
Top returning athletes: Andy Chai (sr.), Kobe Raksinh (sr.), Jacob Narayan (jr.), Matthew Pettineo (so.), Roshan Patel (so).
Top newcomers: Nathaniel Bohrer (jr.), Jared Fry (jr.), Patrick Vongphakdy (jr.)
Season outlook: Things are looking up for the Maroons as Rattana takes over as the varsity coach in his fourth overall season with the program. State doubles qualifier Chai returns to lead the team, although his partner John Hegel graduated. With a larger group to work with, Rattana sees the potential for major improvement throughout the season. “In my four years with the program, this year is the year that many student-athletes have joined the program. I am very excited about the numbers,” Rattana said. “This year, we have a lot of teaching to do because of so many new players who joined and haven't played before. I'm excited about the future of EHS boys tennis if they stick with it for four years.”
Elgin AcademyCoach: Greg Repede (5th year)
Conference: Independent School League
2015 record: 6-12, 1-5
Top returning athletes: Prudhyie Gudapati (so.), Frankie Bisconti (sr.), Julian Romano (sr.), Harmon Handa (Jr)., Karan Gowda (so.), Simon Balisi (so.), Michael Huang (sr.)
Top newcomers: Bryan Leng (so.)
Season outlook: The Hilltoppers expect to improve on last season's record as they return the majority of their team, including No. 1 singles player Gudapati. “It was hard for him playing No. 1 singles as a freshman, but he looks to be quite an improved player. He plays year-round and the competition has helped him learned how to compete and win and harness his ability,” Repede said. The squad will also be bolstered by the return of their former top doubles team of Bisconti/Romano, who took last season off after playing their first two years. “We have some experience this season with those two seniors coming back. We still don't have a lot of year-round players, but we're definitely stronger than a year ago. In terms of wins and losses, we would like to finish around .500,” Repede added.
GenevaCoach: Zach Evans (2nd year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2015 record: 9-5
Top returning athletes: Cannan Ciesielski (sr.), Christian Fournier (sr.), Mike Guffey (sr.), Seth Dickinson (sr.), Adam Said (jr.)
Top newcomers: Maxim Lunin (jr.), Jake Peters (sr.), Diego Cardenas (so.), Salman Saini (jr.)
Season outlook: After a challenging season for a young squad, Geneva has high hopes for what appears to be a competitive Upstate Eight River race thanks to the return of most of its lineup from 2015. Guffey moves up to No. 1 singles, while Fournier transitions from first singles to first doubles with Ciesielski. Adams and newcomer Lunin round out a talented singles trio, and Said and Dickinson return at second doubles as well as Will Youman at third doubles with newcomer Peters. First-year varsity players Cardenas and Saini round out the doubles lineup. “We should be very competitive in conference this year,” Evans said. “We have a solid singles lineup, and three of our four doubles teams have solid match experience from last season.”
HampshireCoach: Bill Jepsen (3rd year)
Conference: Fox Valley (Fox)
Top returning athletes: Jack Gara (sr.), Aldren Briones, (jr.), Esteban Molina (jr.), David Del Re (sr.), Nathan Palmero (sr.)
Top newcomers: Alex Sayavongs (so.), David Hougland (fr.), Elwood Stuart (jr.), Marc Agpoon (jr.), Alex Patthana (so.), Jacob Kollins (jr.)
Season outlook: The Whip-Purs don't have big hitters at the top of their lineup, but have decent depth thanks to a large group of underclassmen. Briones figures to play No. 1 singles while team captain Gara can fill the No. 2 singles role or play No. 1 doubles. Molina is an improved player while Del Re and Palmero should be competitive at No. 3 or No. 4 doubles. Hougland comes from a tennis playing family that includes brother Elisha, who currently plays No. 1 singles for Judson University, and sister Hannah, a four-year state qualifier for the Whip-Purs. “We are a slightly more competitive team than last season's squad and our depth has improved,” Jepsen said. “I feel good about the direction of the program as we have a good group of freshmen and sophomores who are 11 to 17 on the depth chart that will be stepping up for us.”
HuntleyCoach: Barry Wells (11th year)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2015 record: 16-4
Top returning athletes: Jack Soderwall (so.), Charlie Burian (jr.), Keaton Newsome (jr.), Ben Cazel (sr.).
Top newcomers: Julian Collins (fr.), Trey Coleman (jr.), Jacob Wat (jr.).
Season outlook: The Red Raiders will look to reload after graduating 7 of 11 starters from last year's solid squad that placed third in sectionals, including state doubles qualifier Riley Michel. Most of the returning players are versatile and figure to see time at both singles and doubles depending on the matchup. With only one or two seniors expected to contribute, Wells sees this season as a building block for the future. “We had a deep team last year with very good doubles, so our returning players will have to step up to the challenge of playing higher up in the lineup and our younger players will have opportunities to start,” Wells said. “We host the sectional and it's favorable for us. We hope to qualify one or more players this year and it would be huge for the younger players to get in.”
JacobsCoach: Jon Betts (6th year, 80-36)
Conference: Fox Valley (Valley)
2015 record: 19-8, 11-1
Top returning athletes: Kailash Panchapakesan (sr.), Riley Rowan (Sr), Kendrick Chong (sr.), Kerwin Chong (so.), Patrick Murphy, (jr.), Jacob Moser (jr.), Matt Kastritis, (jr.), Michael Bujacz (sr.).
Top newcomers: Kyle Burton (fr.).
Season outlook: The Golden Eagles hope to improve on their 17th place finish in state last season thanks to the return of state singles qualifier Panchapakesan, who is undefeated in Fox Valley Conference play the last two seasons. Brothers Kendrick and Kerwin Chong return as doubles qualifiers, along with Rowan, who lost his partner Matt Toomire to graduation. Kastritis also returns as a conference champion. “With a strong core of exceptionally talented seniors and a solid number of returning varsity athletes, we hope to challenge Prairie Ridge for the FVC and sectional titles,” Betts said. “Following the program's best-ever finish at the state level, our goal is to make an even deeper run this spring. We will be traveling, as a team, to Hilton Head, S.C., for spring break to prepare for the season ahead.”
LarkinCoach: Kevin Schillerstrom (6th year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2015 record: 6th in UEC River
Top newcomers: Tyrone Bungay (jr.), Maverick Lam (So). Leonardo Jimenez (so.), Josh Aros (So)., Andrew Dominguez (fr.), Oscar Birungi (So).
Season outlook: The Royals are essentially starting from scratch with six new varsity players. Bungay transferred from Arizona and will combine with Lam to fill the top two singles slots. Dominguez and Birungi will play No. 1 doubles with Jimenez and Aros playing second doubles. Freshman Giovanni Ruiz may also join the varsity team later in the season after getting some JV experience. “That's our six-pack. It's important to have them at a young age,” Schillerstrom said. After running all levels the past few seasons, Schillerstrom was pleased to get an experienced JV coach in Craig Cichowicz, a former state qualifier from Lake Park “I was very lucky to find a JV coach that has tennis experience. Our goal is to keep recruiting. We want to find athletes that can become tennis players,” Schillerstrom said.
MarmionCoach: John Tsang (6th year)
Conference: Chicago Catholic League
2015 record: 8-6
Top returning athletes: John King (sr.), Luke Hoss, Valen Piotrowski, Bennet Piotrowski, Daniel Stueland, Brendan Labbe, Kyle Yorke, Gabe Joy, Will Fredericks
Top newcomers: Grayson Piotrowski, Owen Michuda, James Graft
Season outlook: The Cadets aren't sure what to expect in their first year in the Chicago Catholic League. But one thing they know is that their veteran lineup should be competitive with any team in the conference. Marmion returns its entire starting unit from last year's squad, led by King, a three-time state qualifier at first singles who is poised to make a leap among the top players in the suburbs this spring. The experienced Cadets made their presence known in the CCL from the outset, winning their first two conference dual meets of the season 3-2 over DeLaSalle March 15 and 5-0 over St. Laurence March 22. King is joined by Hoss and Valen Piotrowski at singles, while Bennett Piotrowski and Steuland headline the doubles teams along with Labbe/Yorke at second doubles and Joy/Fredericks at third doubles. Grayson Piotrowski, Michuda and Graft are vying for spots at fourth doubles.
St. Charles EastCoach: Rob Livermore (14th year)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2015 record: 12-3
Top returning athletes: Alex Winters (sr.), Kevin Schreiner (so.)
Top newcomers: Zac Crane (sr.), Chris Horn (sr.), Josh Gadow (jr.)
Season outlook: With only two starters graduated from last year's sectional championship team, though it should be noted that Connor Anderson (first doubles) and Nick Hauptmann (first singles) were key 2015 players, many Upstate Eight River coaches call the Saints the prohibitive favorites to claim the 2016 conference title. Livermore said East isn't backing down from favorite status. The Saints will be looking to win both conference and sectional championships behind a deep, veteran lineup led by returning state qualifier Winters and 2015 freshman standout Schreiner. Winters will play first singles and Schreiner will line up at first doubles in East's home opener with Wheaton North on April 4. Several other players were still vying for spots in the starting lineup, including Nick Stellon, Tim Boles, Charlie Downing, Kevin Cook, Peter Clancy, Crane, Horn and Gadow. “Our main strength will be our depth,” Livermore said. “Steady improvement will be our goal.”
St. Charles NorthCoach: Sean Masoncup (10th year overall, 7th year at North; 167-15 overall, 115-10 at North)
Conference: Upstate Eight River
2015 record: 17-1
Top returning athletes: Matt Ernst (sr.), Matt Kramer (sr.), Ajay Gustafson (so.), Trevor Kurtzhals (sr.), Dillon Randazzo (jr.), Alex Gruber (sr.), Luke Dunteman (sr.)
Top newcomers: Matt MacArthur (jr.), Calvin Murata (sr.), Holden Gilkey (jr.)
Season outlook: With seven key players returning from last year's conference champion, the veteran North Stars are one of the favorites to win the 2016 UEC River crown. Leading North's efforts to defend its 2015 title will be returning state qualifiers Ernst, Dunteman and Kramer, who will get plenty of support from Gustafson, Kurtzhals, Randazzo, Gruber and newcomers McAuther, Murata and Gilkey. The North Stars' depth gives Masoncup lots of options for the team's opening-day lineup, including the first singles spot left vacant by the graduation of conference champion and state qualifier Aaron Amburgey. The lineup won't be set until after spring break. According to Masoncup, “St. Charles East is obviously the favorite with returning almost their whole team, but we feel like we can give them a run. Batavia and Geneva will both be in the mix as well for conference. In terms of weekends, we play a very difficult schedule playing across the state against the state's top teams. We feel it will prepare us to qualify for the state tournament.”
St. EdwardCoach: Allan Anastacio (1st season)
Conference: Metro Suburban West
Top returning athletes: Chris Pottorff (sr.), Michael Chammany (sr.).
Top newcomers: Kyle Brown (jr.), Charles Canning (jr.), Padraic Heneghan (sr.), Andrew Shepley (jr.), Joshua Yuen (jr.)
Season outlook: This is the third year of the team after the school went a few years without one. Unfortunately, the Green Wave has gone winless the past two seasons and hopes to change that as seniors Pottorff and Chammany return to anchor the lineup. “We have yet to win a meet and our goal is to finally win one and maybe a few more,” Anastacio said.
West AuroraCoach: Bill Stanley (14th year)
Conference: Upstate Eight Valley
2015 record/finish: 4-12
Top returning players: William Isiminger (jr.), Jonathan Barajas (jr.), Meliton Chaidez (sr.), Evan Castillo (sr.), Kenny Sodetz (sr.), Caden LaFond (so.)
Top newcomers: Ariq Quach (sr.), Joey Resko (sr.), Austin Wood (sr.)
Season outlook: The Blackhawks like their chances of competing for the conference championship in their return to the Upstate Eight Valley. “Tennis numbers are up significantly,” Stanley said, “and we will have some depth this year. Blackhawk tennis is on the rise, we are ready for a great season.” West Aurora's hopes start with Isiminger, who came up just one win short of advancing to state last season. Isiminger will start at first singles with Lafond, Castillo and Chaidez battling for the second and third singles spots. The four doubles pairings are more up in the air with a deep group of Quach, Resko, Sodetz, Wood, Luke Reimers, Ulisses Rios, Elliott Barbel, Barajas, Jack Farrell and Mike Barbel fighting for positions. West's success could come down to how quickly its doubles teams come together and develop chemistry on the court.
— Compiled by Ken Tillotson and Jeff Smith
South Elgin and Streamwood did not respond to requests for information.