This spring, the Handley High School boys’ tennis team will look to keep doing what it’s been doing since head coach Dan Jones arrived: winning.
Jones, who has won The Winchester Star Coach of the Year award for eight straight seasons, has high hopes yet again for his squad.
Even after losing three seniors from last year’s team, including in the No. 2 and No. 3 singles spots, the Judges figure to be the best team in the area once again. Handley opened its season with an 8-1 victory over Harrisonburg on Monday, winning five of six singles matches and all three doubles matches.
Handley returns senior Jack Boye, who took over the Judges’ No. 1 singles spot and went 9-10 last year. Boye was 11-2 with Will Brubaker, who also returns this spring, at No. 2 doubles. The pair is the Judges’ top doubles team this season. Handley also brings back senior Matthew Bosshard, who was slotted in the No. 2 singles spot in Monday’s opener.
Junior Greyson Foltz headlines Sherando’s returners after he finished 10-8 last spring as the Warriors’ No. 1 player. Vishan Baghat, Foltz’s doubles partner, also comes back after going 8-5 at No. 2 singles and 10-4 at No. 1 doubles.
Millbrook will look to build on last year’s 7-7 record and reach the playoffs with three returning seniors, including All-Area First Team selection Ben Yeager, who was in the No. 1 singles and doubles slots.
James Wood junior Josh Lucas comes back for the Colonels after an impressive sophomore campaign that awarded him The Winchester Star Player of the Year honors. The left-handed Lucas was the lone area player to advance to the Region 4D boys’ semifinals in singles, where he fell to Salem’s Drew Perez, who went on to win the state title. Junior Ander Pratt-Perez also returns for the Colonels.
Handley and the other Class 4 area teams will have to first get past Charlottesville if they want any hope of winning a state title. Charlottesville defeated the Judges in the Region 4D semifinals and Sherando in the quarterfinals en route to a state title. Jones described the Black Knights as a “buzz saw” last spring and is expecting a similar challenge this season.
In Class 2, Clarke County is coming off a 4-10 season one year after it reached the state tournament. The Eagles return senior Jack Westbrook, who won Region 2B doubles last year.
The following is a breakdown provided by the area coaches:
Handley
Coach: Dan Jones, 10th season
Last year: 15-3, Region 4D semifinalist
Key losses: Ty Dickson, Carter Bessette, Avi Dabas.
Key returners: Jack Boye (Sr.); Matthew Bosshard (Sr.); Will Brubaker (Jr.); Owen Way (Jr.); Joseph San Pietro (Sr.). S
Key newcomers: Ben Boye (So.); Aman Gopal (Fr.).
Jones’ expectations: “We have been pleasantly surprised by multiple kids’ progress at this point of the season. With a great off-season on and off the court, we are excited to see how the season unfolds and if our hard work pays off. Having four players returning with a ton of match experience, a handful of kids that have developed over the years and the addition of a couple key players, we are on pace to reach our season goals.”
Sherando
Coach: Jason Robertson, third season
Last year: 14-3, Region 4D quarterfinalist
Key losses: Vishan Bhagat, Connor Dudley, Justin Jensen.
Key returners: Emmett Gannon (Sr.); Greyson Foltz (Jr.); Sam Brooks (Jr.); Joe Jeran (Jr.); Henry Fitzpatrick (Jr.); Syuan Wun Lai (Jr.); Alex Corl (Jr.); Logan Tolbert (So.); Jay Sluss (So.); Jason Deignan (So.).
Key newcomers: Landon Dahlinger (Sr.); Andrew Shuma (Jr.); Emerson Foltz (Fr.); Malcolm Francis (Fr.).
Robertson’s expectations: “Our expectations are to be playing our best tennis at the end of the season, qualify for the postseason, and compete. Millbrook improved quite a bit as the season unfolded last year, and Handley is always a strong contender. Charlottesville (2024 state champions) will be the team to beat in our region.
“We were able to qualify for the postseason last year. The returning boys gained valuable experience playing Charlottesville and seeing firsthand the level of a state champion. The boys improved over the offseason, and we have added a few exciting players to our team.”
Millbrook
Coach: Chris Rogus, fourth season
Last year: 7-7, Region 4D quarterfinalist
Key losses: Milo Kulp; Angel Ayad; Jude Godwin.
Key returner: Ben Yeager (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Pablo Segura (So.); Samuel Lopez (Fr.).
Rogus’ expectations: “The expectations are the same as every year: make the playoffs. We missed it by a match last season, which stuck with us. I’ve got three seniors that have quite the chip on their shoulder.
“The attitude of these players has been all business. They want to improve every practice, and it makes my life easier.”
James Wood
Coach: Tanner Jones, first season
Last year: 4-11
Key loss: David Hutchins.
Key returners: Josh Lucas (Jr.); Ander Pratt-Perez (Jr.); David Spinar (Sr.).
Key newcomer: Nate Miller (Jr.).
Jones’ expectations: “James Wood tennis has an outstanding opportunity to show great improvement in several areas this season. Josh Lucas and Ander Pratt-Perez were both playing impressive tennis to finish the season last year as sophomores and now they return as upperclassmen who are both setting an outstanding example for our younger players. From what I have seen, I firmly believe they will be able to push for accolades in doubles this year. Josh’s resume speaks for itself, and he’s worked harder than anyone to be in the position he is now.”
Clarke County
Coach: Forrest Pritchard, fourth season.
Last year: 4-10
Key losses: Preston Bernier; Dylan Jones.
Key returners: Jack Westbrook (Sr.); Aden Rounds (Jr.); David Flaherty (Sr.); Pasha Holsinger (Sr.); Jack Stanley (Jr.); Gideon Carne (So.); Ryder Hamilton (So.).
Key newcomers: Finley Rounds (Fr.); Cord Hornbaker (Fr.).
Pritchard’s expectations: “We return an experienced and motivated team with lots of room to grow. Our annual goal is to win our district and return to states.
“We will have a much stronger mix at the 6 through 4 spots. Guys are working hard on second serves and not throwing away points.”
— Contact Justin Robertson at jrobertson@winchesterstar.com
— Follow Justin Robertson on X @j_probertson