Before we started the Thursday match against the Knights at home, we recognized eight seniors who are close to finishing up their high school tennis careers.  Those players are Riley Bonner, Luke Brightbill, Aaron Brown, James Cortez, Liam Fitzpatrick, Ben Reinsberg, Zach Snyder, and Tyler Toni.  To say they will be missed would be an understatement.  These eight boys have been an absolute pleasure to coach.  They bring personality, energy, talent, motivation, and maturity to the team and are a critical part of the core engine that is simply firing on all cylinders right now.  They have been respected role models to the underclass players and leave a positive and healthy legacy for next year’s team.  They aren’t even gone yet, and I already miss them.  Coach Mike and I heard everything you said tonight boys – you’re welcome and thank you too.

The varsity boy’s tennis team has clearly found its stride.  The players are competing with confidence and purpose and the match against Las Lomas provided more evidence of just that.  Knowing Las Lomas is in a building year, the lineup consisted of the seniors who wanted to play and some of our players who see less league match time.  The results were a 9-0 sweep of all singles and doubles lines.  As you can see from the scores below, most of the matches were won decisively. 

Our only three-setter was the #2 singles line.  Hoeberechts pulled out a tough 10-7 win in the deciding tiebreaker after splitting a couple of 6-4 sets.  Hoeberechts first provided the match drama of the evening and then provided the entertainment moment when he returned from a cultural event to catch the tail end of the senior celebration.  One of the players told him he was supposed to make a speech, so he upstaged the coach and did just that.  We’ll call it an unscheduled Kaya infomercial.  I’m still laughing as I type.

The team is now 7-1 in league play with two Northgate matches left.  We will be at home Friday and away on Tuesday.  These are critical matches, but I know the players will bring their A games.  On Thursday (Apr 27), the DAL tournament kicks off.  Play will start at 1:30 at Northgate.  For those players who advance through day one, day two will take place on Friday at College Park.  Matches Friday start at 2PM; first the semi-finals, then the finals.

It was very nice senior celebration.  Thanks to everyone involved with setting it up, providing the dinner and helping with clean up.  All of our senior parents attended to hear their student-athlete speeches.  Thanks again everyone.  Go Dons!   Coach Rick