Boys Tennis: Courier-News season preview

Updated: March 21, 2012 8:59PM

BARTLETT

Coach: B. Siripanya

Key Players: Brad Henning, Ameya Shenoy, Aaron Smedley, Evan Gryska.

Outlook: Bartlett expects to make vast improvements after going winless last season. New coach Siripanya likes the skilled players he has returning and is also excited about the newcomers. Team goals include improving every time they take the court and to grow as athletes on and off the court.

DUNDEE-CROWN

Coach: Harlan Miller

Key Players: Eric Martin, Joe Aschacher, Sahir Irfan, Willy Ugalde.

Outlook: This season should be a challenge for the Chargers. Dundee-Crown returns only two starters from last year’s team. Coach Miller knows this year will be difficult, but fun as well. He is eager to see his team grow and improve throughout the season. The squad recently went to a Northwestern vs. Illinois college tennis match to help the team bond.

ELGIN ACADEMY

Coach: Greg Repede

Key Players: Charlie Vogel, Michael Palmer, Joey Heisley, Martin Diaz De Leon, Colt Kozal, Jonathan Oberdorf.

Outlook: After a successful 2011 campaign, Elgin Academy hopes to keep things rolling this season. Senior Charlie Vogel returns this season after qualifying for state last spring. The Hilltoppers expect to be strong at singles and the top two doubles spots. Coach Repede would like to see his squad have a .500 season and improve as the campaign goes on.

ELGIN

Coach: Larry DeHaan

Key Players: Mikel Canovas, Abraham Hong, Sakda Kethdy, Eric Chai, Reza Khan, Jordan Altieri.

Outlook: One goal for coach DeHaan is for Elgin to play as one united team this season. Although tennis can be an individual sport, DeHaan wants the Maroons to work together and be a unified group. The ultimate goal is for the team to continue to develop as the season progresses.

HAMPSHIRE

Coach: Jon Betts

Key Players: Christian Dela Cruz, Basit Syed, Samuel Hougland, Alejandro Molina, Elisha Hougland.

Outlook: Things are looking bright for the Whip-Purs as they enter the Fox Valley Conference. Hampshire returns some state qualifiers and lots of experience as they look to make a splash in their first season in the FVC. Coach Betts knows the competition will be tough in their new conference, but with his hard-working group he feels his team will be a tough opponent.

HUNTLEY

Coach: Barry Wells

Key Players: Tanner Novalinski, Connor Smith, Connor Luczak, Nick Fangman, Alex Fermo.

Outlook: This season should be a rebuilding one for Huntley. The Red Raiders have a very young squad with not a lot of varsity experience. Following a 6-12 record last season coach Wells would like to see the team improve on that record and develop his younger players.

JACOBS

Coach: Jim Benson

Key Players: Brandon Sidor, Kingsley Bernardo, Kristian Bernardo, Keegan Gaspari, Sam Stevenson.

Outlook: Jacobs will have only one returning senior on this year’s squad. This team is very young, but is working very hard to achieve its goals. Coach Benson realizes the team will need to work extra hard if they want to succeed. One key addition for the Golden Eagles is Colombian exchange student Jorgen Villalba, who is expected to be in the starting lineup.

LARKIN

Coach: Bob Young

Key Players: Aaron Timbe, Tony Hernandez , Nick Flack, Adam Senesombath, Lucas Hayes, Mark Niemeier, Brandt Johnson, Parth Shah, Sam Brosier.

Outlook: Larkin’s main goal for this season is to play the game the right way, work hard in practice and be competitive in every match. Coach Young would like to see the Royals win the last point in every match, and be in a good position to win the match. Larkin is looking to improve in every practice and have that show in their matches.

ST. CHARLES EAST

Coach: Robert Livermore

Key Players: Jasper Koenen, Justin Bowman, Connor Davis, Mike Muir, Bradley Sullivan, Matt McCarthy.

Outlook: After a second-place finish in sectionals last season, the Saints are looking to build on that success and go even further this season. Coach Livermore would like to see the team improve on their record from last year, their place in conference, and compete for a sectional title.

ST. CHARLES NORTH

Coach: Sean Masoncup

Key Players: Danny Oakes, Dominic Almaraj, Grant Spellman, Cam Staroske, Eli McCray, Eric Pashan, Bobby Dunteman.

Outlook: This figures to be a rebuilding year for St. Charles North, but they also have a lot of talent returning. Senior Danny Oakes, who has signed to play at Valparaiso, is back along with state qualifier Dominic Almaraj. Coach Masoncup’s goals for this season are for the team to improve each practice, and compete for the conference championship.

SOUTH ELGIN

Coach: Brett Johnson

Key Players: Andre Norasith , Ulises Hernandez , Francis Manzano, Aayush Patel.

Outlook: South Elgin lost seven seniors from its 23-3 team of last season. New coach Brett Johnson has inherited some talent with varsity experience, and they know what it takes to succeed. Johnson loves their hard work and the dedication they put in during the offseason. Expectations remain high for the Storm this season.

STREAMWOOD

Coach: Miriam Abe

Key Players: Kosuke Enami, Nelson Santana, Andre Santiago.

Outlook: Streamwood expects this season to be a struggle, but the attitude remains positive for the Sabres. Only three Streamwood players have any varsity experience. Coach Abe would like to see the young players grow as they adjust to varsity play, and most importantly have fun and compete all season long.

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