Boys' Tennis Preview

In what was considered a “rebuilding” season last spring after a state title the year before, the Handley boys’ tennis team won the conference title and advanced to the state finals for the second straight year.

Only Class 4 champion Rock Ridge, now in Class 5, could knock off the Judges last season, doing it twice in Handley’s 21-2 campaign.

Coming into this spring, Handley figured to be the overwhelming favorite in Class 4, but that took a little bit of a turn.

No. 1 Nick Mueller, who had just one singles loss in two seasons and advanced to the doubles semifinal last year, decided to spend his junior year at a tennis academy in Florida. Mueller is expected to return for his senior season at Handley.

But even without its top player from last year, the Judges still are stout.

No. 1 Jack Volinsky is unbeaten in singles over his first two seasons and he teamed with Mueller to make the state doubles semifinals.

Handley returns Mercer Love (No. 3 last season), Max Thwing (No. 4) and Garrett Felix (No. 6). The Judges also have an influx of talent. Freshman Daniel Botros and transfer James Gullett are fighting for spots in the Top 4. Thwing and Felix are likely to play at No. 5 and 6 this season.

The Judges got off to a hot start Monday, winning 70 of 72 games in a 9-0 win over Sherando.

Millbrook finished 13-3 last season with two of those losses coming to the Judges. The other defeat was an upset loss against Woodgrove in the conference semifinals, which prevented the Pioneers from making their second consecutive regional appearance.

The Pioneers did lose a pair of starters, including longtime No. 1 Hayden Wilfong, who is now playing No. 5 at Methodist University,

Millbrook does return some experience with Nathan Wiens, Josh Dalton, Christian Hellwig and Thomas Parks the team’s No. 2, 3, 5 and 6 players, respectively, a year ago. Nick Clippinger also saw some action.

James Wood, a Conference 21 semifinalist last season, lost a big chunk of its lineup, including perennial No. 1 Evan Dokken, who now is No. 2 at Shepherd University.

The Colonels (currently 1-1) return Noah Borromeo, who will play at No. 1. Newcomer Jonah Borromeo and returnees Jacob Gregg and Cole Creamer round out the Top 4. Newcomers Ben Ondeck and James Ramey round out the singles lineup. The Borromeo brothers will play at No. 1 doubles.

Sherando is looking to rebound from a 6-11 season last fall, though the Warriors did split a pair of 5-4 matches with the Colonels. Parker Gregg, Keith Robertson and Tucker Myers, returnees from last season, play the top three singles spots for the Warriors (currently (2-1).

All of those area teams will face some new opponents as Fauquier, Liberty and Kettle Run join the Northwestern District. Kettle Run knocked off the Colonels 6-3 on Wednesday.

Clarke County (4-11) lost four of its top seven players. Owen Mason-Hill takes over at No. 1. Returnees Isaac Knittle, Alec Lai and Brandon Panitz follow in the singles lineup. Five freshmen are scrapping it out for the remaining two singles spots as the Eagles look to content in the Bull Run District.

The following is a brief look at the area teams with information provided by the coaches:

Handley

Coach: Dan Jones, fourth season

Last season: 21-2, Conference 21 West champion, 4A West Region runner-up, Class 4 runner-up

Key losses: Nick Mueller

Top returning players: Jack Volinsky, Jr.; Mercer Love, So.; Max Thwing, Sr.; Garrett Felix, Sr.; Connor Landrio, Sr.

Top newcomers: Daniel Botros, Fr.; James Gullett, So.

Jones’ outlook: “With a mixture of experience, new faces and a good offseason we hope to improve every day and be playing our best at the end of the season.”

Next match: Today at Harrisonburg

Millbrook

Last season: 13-3, lost in the Conference 21 West semifinals

Coach: Mike Arney, 10th season

Key losses: Hayden Wilfong, Alex Clippinger

Top returning players: Nathan Wiens, Sr.; Joshua Dalton, Jr.; Christian Hellwig, So.; Thomas Parks, Jr; Nick Clippinger, So.

Top newcomers: Drake Wilfong, Fr.; Jonathan Clippinger, Fr.

Arney’s outlook: “It is nice to have a team of players that work so well together. These athletes are focused and committed to helping each other become better tennis players. Its great to see them push each other and grow together. I am looking forward to a great season.”

Next match: Today at Woodgrove

James Wood

Coach: Bryan Levi, third season

Last season: 9-8, lost in Conference 21 West semifinals

Key losses: Evan Dokken, Trent Richards, Chase Messick, Stew Brondstater, Conner Heustis

Top returning players: Noah Borromeo, Sr.; Jacob Gregg, So.; Cole Creamer, So.

Top newcomers: Jonah Borromeo, Fr; Ben Ondeck, So.; Jim Ramey, Sr.

Levi’s outlook: “We are very young with only two seniors and no juniors with a number of the boys having never played before. This is a rebuilding year for us but we’re going to work hard to improve each practice, each week and each match. Noah should be a solid No.1 for us and team with his brother, Jonah, at No.1 doubles. The main objective is for all the boys to learn and get better throughout the season.”

First match: vs. Clarke County, March 22

Sherando

Coach: Steve Jennings, 12-th season

Last season: 6-11

Key losses: Cameron Spieles

Top returning players: Parker Gregg, So.; Keith Robertson, So; Tucker Myers, Jr.

Top newcomer: Joe Venturato, Fr.

Jennings’ outlook: “I am hoping our team will continue to improve in their ball control and personal best.”

Next match: vs. Brentsville, Tuesday

Clark County

Coach: Patrick Hausamann, sixth year

Last year: 4-11

Key losses: Matt Betz, Rob DeTeran, Leo Buzalsky, Jordan Hardy

Top returning players: Owen Mason-Hill, Sr.; Isaac Knittle, Sr.; Alec Lai, Jr.; Brandon Panitz, Sr.

Top newcomers: Ryan Mercke, Fr.; Kaleb Robey, Fr.; Ian Clapp, Fr.; Keith Dalton, Fr.; Ben Homan, Fr.

Hausamann’s outlook: “We are a young team, but one that keeps learning and getting better each practice. We had many close individual matches last year not represented by our record where the guys showed great sportsmanship and grit. We have a strong group of returning players that provide great guidance to the group and lead us forward. Collectively we look forward to a great season.

First match: Monday at Skyline

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