BOYS TENNIS put on a show for the audience in attendance at Tsuruta Tennis Courts last Thursday, defeating the visiting St. Helens Lions 7-1. Above, Alden Sova returns a volley in the No. 2 singles match. The team’s next home match is April 1 at 4:30 p.m. against Tualatin.
BOYS TENNIS put on a show for the audience in attendance at Tsuruta Tennis Courts last Thursday, defeating the visiting St. Helens Lions 7-1. Above, Alden Sova returns a volley in the No. 2 singles match. The team’s next home match is April 1 at 4:30 p.m. against Tualatin.
Ben MitchellThe boys tennis team picked up right where it left off last season in their home debut Thursday evening at the Tsuruta Tennis Courts, where the Eagles nearly swept St. Helens, taking the Lions down 7-1.
The defending Columbia River Conference champions are looking to get their second title in as many years on the shoulders of a senior-heavy lineup that return from the 2015 team, as well as some talented juniors and sophomores.
Jon Hiatt returns for his 10th season as head coach of the team, and liked the start his team had Thursday night.
“I thought the kids did a great job competing and adjusting their games in order to have the best chance to win,” he said. “For not having many days on the court this season, I was very pleased with our performance.”
The 24-man roster (JV and varsity) features six varsity returners and four who played JV last year. Senior Will Ferrick, who made it to the district quarterfinals last season, “looked really sharp” Thursday night, according to Hiatt, and will be one of the team’s top players. Classmate Patrick Humann, who is recovering from an injury but is expected to return to the lineup in a couple weeks, also figures to be in one of the top slots for HRV. Hiatt added that he will also be “looking for great things” from seniors Alden Sova, Cole Shepherd, and Hugo Sandoval, as well as sophomore Sawyer Bogard.
Other than that, Hiatt said the varsity roster has not been finalized and that he will “spend the nonleague season mixing things up to find the best combination (of players).”
Hiatt expects that Hermiston will field a tough team once again and added that “The Dalles always plays us tough in our rivalry.” In Special District 1, the Bend area schools, particularly Summit, which won the 5A title last year, will likely be the teams to beat once again.
In Thursday’s match against St. Helens, HRV swept the singles competition with Ferrick (6-2, 6-1), Sova (6-0, 1-6, 6-4), and Bogard (6-1, 6-2), getting wins in the No. 1, 2, and 3 slots, respectively. HRV won on forfeit in No. 4 singles.
In doubles competition, the duos of Shepherd/Sandoval (No. 1, 6-2, 6-1), Soren Rajani/Ronald Rodriguez (No. 3, 6-1, 6-1), and Chris Riviello/Charlie Bickford (No. 4, 6-1, 6-2) won their matches. In the No. 2 position, Simon Harsanyi and Adam Harter won one of three sets, but lost the match (2-6, 6-3, 2-6).
The team’s next match after break will be on the road against Parkrose March 29 at 4 p.m. The boys’ next home match will be April 1 against Tualatin at 4:30 p.m.
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