Panthers look to bounce back
By Jason Arndt
Editor
For the Westosha Central High School boys tennis team, coach Paul Brings hopes the Falcons can keep pace among the top teams in the Southern Lakes Conference, following their second place finish in last year’s final standings.
Wilmot Union, however, looks to bounce back after a tough start its season, which had been affected by weather.
Entering the SLC slate, the Falcons hold a 1-2 record while the Panthers dropped four meets, including two by one match.
The Falcons, who return multiple sectional qualifiers, boast senior Lucas Graveley at No. 1 doubles and senior Gage Reynolds in No. 3 singles.
Wilmot, meanwhile, brings back honorable mention all-SLC senior Justin Jacobazzi at No. 4 singles.
Consistency key for Falcons
Westosha Central faces several losses to graduation, including Graveley’s doubles partner George Capelli, both of whom advanced to the state meet, and sectional qualifiers Luke Andrekus along with the No. 2 doubles team of Lucas Wysiatko and Zack Wermeling.
Filling the void at No. 1 singles, left by Andrekus, is freshman Cooper Ferruzzi, who won his first match against Elkhorn last week.
“It is our most difficult spot and he won his match against Elkhorn, tough match, three-setter,” said Brings. “That was his first win, so he is 1-4.”
At No. 2 singles, senior Lucas Fitzpatrick returns for another season.
Reynolds, who is 4-1 through five matches, has played consistently, according to Brings.
“He has been playing at No. 3 singles and he won four in a row,” he said. “Gage has been playing very good tennis.”
In the early part of the season, the Falcons have split between sophomore Levi Hardesty and junior Alexander Dawson at No. 4 singles.
Meanwhile, in place of Capelli at No. 1 doubles, is junior Felix Desimoni.
Despite Graveley’s new partner, Brings believes they offer the right combination.
“They have been doing very well, they are both very tall, so they can cover really well,” he said. “Lucas has a very strong serve and Felix has learned to push it out to the side of the court, he is a good volleyer, it is a nice combination.”
Rounding out the doubles combinations are Colin Mast and Trevor Millhouse at No. 2, followed by Kyle Gray and Tevin Pielhau.
Westosha Central, which finished 5-2 in dual meets, looks for the same, if not better this season, Brings said.
“We are going to take things one match a time,” he said. “But, number one, we wanted to get a good conference record.”
Wilmot seeks redemption
After dropping its first four SLC matches, Wilmot looks to bounce back, according to coach Lisa Obertin.
“We had some close ones and hope that we come out strong into the second half of the season and into the conference tournament and take some people by surprise,” she said.
In addition to Jacobazzi, the Panthers have hopes for No. 3 singles senior Nolan Souders, who has a 6-1 record through Monday.
Souders, a senior, is the brother of recent Wilmot graduate Logan, who qualified for sectionals last season.
“Nolan and then Justin have both been strong for us,” said Obertin. “We are hoping to have big things happen at No. 2 singles with (junior) Alex Tenhagen.”
Tenhagen was a second-team all-conference last season at No. 1 doubles, teaming up with recent graduate Brandon Zastrow.
Obertin looks to senior Calyn Coose at No. 1 singles.
In doubles, Obertin has a new mix at every spot.
“We are having new doubles combinations that we haven’t had before,” she said.
At No. 1 doubles, the Panthers have seniors Shawn McCluskey and Trevor Schwarz.
Rounding out the doubles teams are junior Hunter Hess and sophomore Michael Baum at No. 2 and in No. 3, the Panthers have seniors Kevin Kummerow and Tyler Knabel.