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The 2015 high school boys tennis season is officially underway and while teams like Berwick, Wyoming Seminary and Dallas have their sights set on postseason glory, other teams are just looking to gain experience and compete.
The harsh March weather has hindered on-the-court practice time for everyone, but with warmer days ahead, competition in the Wyoming Valley Conference should really begin to heat up.
2015 WVC boys tennis
Berwick
Coach: Matt Shrader, 8th season
2014 Record: 9-2; advanced to district semifinals
Home court: Berwick High School
Key returning players: Luke Whitenight, Blake Whitmire, Dominic Scichitano, Gisepe Baratta, Nick Oliver
Coach’s outlook: “We hope to repeat the same success as last year, with maybe only one loss, we would be happy with that.”
Coughlin
Coach: Teresa Popielarski, 12th season
2014 Record: 1-10
Home court: Plains Township Municipal Park Sports Complex
Key returning players: Mike Klimek (junior, No. 1 singles), Pavel Svintozelskiy (junior, No.2 singles), Xavier Fisher (senior, No. 3 singles), Stephen Moon (sophomore, No. 1 doubles)
Coach’s outlook: “We have a lot of new players who are working very hard and doing a great job. We’re looking forward to a very competitive season.”
Crestwood
Coach: Scott Lenio, 19th season
2014 record: 5-7
Home court: Wright Township Park
Key returning players: Robbie Shovlin and Keelan Tollinger
Coach’s outlook: “The team lost six of the seven starters from last year. It will definitely be a learning curve for the players and coaches on the team. The players this year are inexperienced in league play but we hope to improve as the year goes along. The weather has hampered our ability to form a starting lineup. We will be adjusting the lineup as the season goes along. Most of the teams lost a starting player or two but losing six of the seven starters will be an uphill battle so I would hope to try and get to .500 and see if we can upset a team or two along the way.”
Dallas
Coach: Joe Pugliese, 6th season
2014 record: 7-4; lost to Berwick in the first round of districts
Home court: Dallas High School
Key returning players: Anthony DeLuca, Frank Bevevino, Jack Robins, Cameron Tuck
Coach’s outlook: “We’re inexperienced at singles, but we have good depth on the team so we should have good doubles teams. Our goal is to make district playoffs every year.”
Hazleton Area
Coach: Bob Freeman, 9th season
2014 record: 10-2; lost in first round of districts
Home court: Valley Country Club
Key returning players: Wister Yuhas, Adam Grula, Nico Makvta
Coach’s outlook: “We are very inexperienced, but we hope to be competitive with our matches.”
Holy Redeemer
Coach: Joe Suchoski
2014 record: 3-8
Home courts: Kirby Park
Key returning players: Josh Wychock, Jr; Russell Kutish, Soph; Robert Dougherty, Sr; Bailey Endler, Sr; Gaetano Buonsante, Sr., Zach Patterson, Soph.
Coach’s outlook: “Redeemer tennis had three wins last year and lost a lot of 3-2 decisions. The hope is to turn some of those 3-2 losses into wins and end the season with a winning record. Key additions to the team are senior Connor Murray and freshman Chris Kocon.”
MMI Prep
Coach: Mark Dryfoos, 3rd season
2014 record: 7-5
Home court: MMI Prep High School
Key returning players: Nick Vilobe, Billy Spear, Michael Eisenhart, Llewellyn Dryfoos
Coach’s outlook: “We should have an exciting season with all our players coming back. It is a very good outlook this season, we just need to work hard and we will see what happens.”
Pittston Area
Coach: Amanda Wascazich, 1st season
2014 record: 7-5 District appearance
Home court: Morton Mattei Middle School
Key returning players: Christian Tharney, Johnathan Durling
Coach’s Outlook: “I hope they have fun, get some good experience, and win a few matches along the way.”
Tunkhannock
Coach: Kyle Christie, 1st season
2014 record: 3-8
Home courts: Tunkhannock High School
Key returning players: Nate Underwood, Tony Shao, Dan Grednip, Luke Straley, Ben Keiser, Colin Franko, Gerard Mirabello.
Outlook: With just about everyone returning from last year, that experience should help the Tigers improve on last year’s record.
Wyoming Seminary
Coach: Allison Joanlanne, third season
2014 Record: 11-0, Lost to Scranton Prep in District 2 Class 2A championship
Home court: Wyoming Seminary High School
Coach’s outlook: “We hope to be undefeated again and get to the district finals. Hopefully this season we can go a step further and make it to the state playoffs. Our goal is to always win districts.”
Wyoming Valley West
Coach: Jim Zimmerman, 19th season
2014 record: 6-5
Home court: Hamilton Park in Kingston, PA
Key returning players: Dan Taren, Sr; Anthony Barbose, Jr; Matt Finnegan, Jr.
Coach’s outlook: “I hope we are competitive in each match and improve as the season goes a long.”