2017 Boys' Tennis Preview

By WALT MOODY | The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — Handley boys’ tennis coach Dan Jones called his squad “The Dream Team” last spring and it was easy to see why.

The Judges were unbeaten (22-0) on the way to a dominating postseason run in which they lost just one singles match on the way to the Group 4A title.

Parker Wilson defended his state singles title and joined partner Carter Watts to defend their doubles championship as Wilson clinched a rare Triple Crown of sweeping all of the state titles.

But not many faces are left from that squad. On the singles side, Wilson, Watts (No. 3) and Tabor Thwing (No. 6) were seniors. Cole Pawlak (No. 4) graduated early this January. Will Niessner (No. 3 doubles) also graduated after last season.

That leaves a major rebuilding project for the Judges.

The good news for Handley is that it has two players returning who have never tasted singles defeat. Nick Mueller went 18-0 at No. 2 singles and Jack Volinsky was 21-0 at No. 5 singles in their freshmen seasons.

The rest of the lineup heading into the season comes from untested, but talented juniors Max Thwing, Payne Wilson, Connor Landrio and Garrett Felix.

“It’s going to be a challenge,” Jones admitted. “We were very fortunate to have the group of seniors we had and we’re going to miss them. But, it’s a new season. We’re young. But we have two kids back that have a lot of experience even though they are sophomores. The juniors have been with us for two years in the program and they’ve been able to watch and practice with that senior class and learn how to compete. They got to see what it takes to win.”

And winning won’t always come from dominating 9-0 scores during the regular-season and 5-0 wins in the postseason.

“It’s going to be a lot different,” Jones said. “We’re going to have to grind out matches. I don’t know that we will ever see a team like we had last year again. I hope we do, but I doubt that will ever happen. We’ll have to play a lot harder and cherish every point we get and just get better every day.”

What makes it tougher for Handley to defend is that there’s some area competition in Conference 21 West.

Millbrook (14-5) finished second to Handley last season and advanced to the regional quarterfinals for the first time before falling against John Champe.

“That’s the furthest we’ve gone as a team in region play,” Millbrook coach Mike Arney said. “That was great for them to see that they can go that far and be a competitive team.”

The Pioneers return No. 1 seed Hayden Wilfong along with Nathan Wiens, Alex Clippinger and Josh Dalton. Freshmen Ethan Buckner, Nick Clippinger and Christian Hellwig are looking to make an impact on the lineup.

Wilfong, a senior, is coming off a strong 14-6 season in singles and a 15-4 year in doubles.

“He’s looking solid,” Arney said of Wilfong. “It’s been neat to see him grow over the last four years. He came in a little short kid and he’s shot up and has gotten stronger, faster, more consistent and better mentally as a player.”

James Wood (11-5) is the only area team that returns its top two singles players, Evan Dokken and Noah Borromeo. Dokken went 13-5 in singles last season and teamed with Borromeo for a 13-4 mark in doubles, advancing to the conference doubles semifinals.

“His conditioning has gotten a lot better,” Colonels coach Brian Levi said of Dokken “He’s got some things that he’s been working on to get to that next level. He had five losses last year and four of them were to Wilson, so he’s got as good a chance as anybody at winning the conference.”

Trent Richards, Chase Messick and Stewart Brondstater return and freshman Cole Creamer is looking to make an impact.

Levi likes what he sees.

“They’ve been working very hard and they’ve already improved from last year,” Levi said. “The returning guys have improved and they’re already better than they were last year. Even the younger guys have gotten better since the first day of practice.”

Sherando also returns its top player in Cameron Spieles. Jacob Baggett, Tucker Myers and Cullen Mills also saw action last year. Newcomers Parker Gregg and Keith Robertson are expected to make big impacts in the middle of the Warriors’ singles lineup.

“They’ve been very hard workers,” coach Steve Jennings said. “They’ve done everything that I’ve asked them to do. They’re a good bunch of guys and have great work ethic and I think that they are going to play hard for themselves.”

Harrisonburg, which fell 5-3 to Millbrook in the conference semifinals, also returns top singles player Jason Muan, who finished second to Wilson in the conference singles race.

“Every team we play, they’re improving and have gotten better,” Jones said. “We were fortunate enough to be solid all of the way through last year. In our conference, it’s going to be a battle. I don’t know who would be the favorite right now. … I think everybody’s programs are good and getting better. They are well-coached. Every match is gong to be a challenge this year.”

Clarke County is coming off a 3-13 season and looks to challenge in Conference 35 play.

Matt Betz takes over at No. 1 singles and is pacing the Eagles on an off the court.

“Matt Betz has been leading the charge for the guys to get together outside of practices,” Clarke coach Patrick Hausammann said. “He is showing marked improvement in that he’s not hitting just to get the ball back, but he’s actually doing placement and putting a little something on it. Last year he was staying in points and waiting for the other player to get frustrated.”

Owen Mason-Hill, Isaac Knittle, Jr. and Jordan Hardy also return. Mason-Hill and Knittle form a solid No. 1 doubles team. Newcomers Alec Lai and Leo Buzalsky also will play singles.

“All in all the guys are showing promise,” said Hausammann, who expects perennial favorite George Mason to be the conference favorite. “The guys that are coming back are getting back into things pretty quickly. We have at least those two guys [Lai and Buzalsky] and probably two or three more under them who are picking up things quickly and are going to round out the team fairly well if any of those other guys can’t make it.”

The one thing that all of the coaches can agree on is how the unseasonably warm winter has benefited their teams.

“It’s helped us a lot,” Jennings said. “By this time last year, we had only been outside once. I had no idea what I had in front of me. This year, we’ve only been inside once. It’s been really good. It’s been a blessing.”

“It’s been really nice that we’ve not had to shovel off the courts and battle with rain a whole lot,” Arney added. “It’s been nice to get out and have a nice tryout.”

Handley

Coach: Dan Jones, third year

Last year: 22-0, Conference 21 West champion, 4A West Region champion, Group 4A state champion

Key losses: Parker Wilson, Carter Watts, Cole Pawlak, Will Niessner, Tabor Thwing

Top returning players: Nick Mueller, So.; Jack Volinsky, So.; Max Thwing, Jr.; Payne Wilson, Jr.; Connor Landrio, Jr.; Garrett Felix, Jr.

Key newcomers (top six consideration): Mercer Love, Fr.

Jones’ outlook: “Our goals are the same, even though we have new kids. We want to win every match as we come forward and we want to be playing our best at the end of the year when the conference tournament shows up. We still want to play and act like we’re one of the top people in our conference and if the chips land the way they could, we still have a chance. That’s all we ask for — a chance to be one of the better teams in our conference.”

Millbrook

Coach: Mike Arney, ninth year

Last year: 14-5, Conference 21 West finalist, 4A West quarterfinalist

Key losses: Zack Clark, Ryan McCarty, Colin Hood, John Morton

Top returning players: Hayden Wilfong, Sr.; Nathan Wiens, Jr.; Josh Dalton, So.; Alex Clippinger, Sr.

Key newcomers (top six consideration): Christian Hellwig, Fr.; Nick Clippinger, Fr.; Ethan Buckner, Fr.

Arney’s outlook: “I’m looking for a solid season this year. They’ve come in with great attitudes. They have been great about working with the new guys, so they’re setting a good tone for the season and for the team. Our conference is always a strong conference. We’ve got solid schools all around us. We take them as we get them.”

James Wood

Coach: Brian Levi, second season

Last year: 11-5, Conference 21 West finalist, Region 4A West quarterfinalist

Key losses: Austin Harney, Jacob Potter

Top returning players: Evan Dokken, Sr.; Noah Borromeo, Jr.; Trent Richards, Sr.; Chase Messick, Sr.; Stewart Brondstater, Sr.

Key newcomers (top six consideration): Cole Creamer, Fr.

Levi’s outlook: “We made it to the semifinals of team singles and doubles last year. The kids know that it’s important for them to take that next step. That’s something that we’ve been talking about. That will serve as motivation. The conference was extremely tight last year. We feel like our conference is one of the top ones around. That’s motivation for me and the kids, too.”

Sherando

Coach: Steve Jennings, 11th year

Last year: 6-10

Key losses: Quentin DeGroot, John Elkins, Seth Anton

Top returning players: Cameron Spieles, Sr., Jacob Baggett, Jr., Tucker Myers, So.; Cullen Mills, Jr.

Key newcomers (top six consideration): Parker Gregg, Fr.; Keith Robertson, Fr.

Jennings’ outlook: “I’m just hoping that we play hard, play fair and play our best. Because I don’t know what the other schools are doing and how they are doing, I honestly don’t know. I just want us to win as many matches as we can win.”

Clarke County

Coach: Patrick Hausammann, fifth year

Last year: 3-13

Key losses: Eli McGraw, Michael Dietz, Andrew Erickson, Josh Vincent, James Pearson.

Top returning players: Matt Betz, Sr.; Owen Mason-Hill, Jr.; Isaac Knittle, Jr.; Jordan Hardy, Sr.

Key newcomers (top six consideration): Alec Lai, So.; Leo Buzalsky, Sr.

Hausammann’s outlook: “As far as wins and losses, I think it could be a tough year for us to pick up very many, but I think it’s going to be a good year as far as growth and building up some of the guys that haven’t played as much in the past. … For the most part, I think it’s going to be a learning year and improving year for us.”

— Contact Walt Moody at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Follow on Twitter @WinStarSports1