While expectations are always high for the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys tennis team, this spring might require slightly more patience than usual.
The Huskies, who finished second in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division and tenth at the state tournament in 2014, lost their top doubles team. Jonah Philion is now at Harvard while doubles partner Miles Blim can’t play this season due to two stress fractures in his back as well as his involvement in a professional play in Chicago. Philion and Blim finished eighth in doubles at the state tournament last season.
“It’s going to be a little bit of a rebuilding year,” OPRF coach John Morlidge said. “We have some strong players at the top of our lineup. We also have a lot of new players who moved up to varsity this year that will do really well.”
Despite personnel adjustments, the Huskies provided a glimpse of what they’re capable of this season by winning their own Rudy Witsman Invite on Saturday. OPRF won the title with 52 points, followed by Loyola (34), Evanston (32) and Fenwick (24). The Huskies won No. 1 singles and all three doubles flights en route to claiming their coveted home title. OPRF No. 1 singles player Jacob Palley defeated Evanston’s David Wolk in straight sets in the final. In doubles, the Huskies No. 1 team of Henry Belcaster and Joe Gullo swept Evanston’s Austin Klopfer and Conrad Gordon 6-1, 7-5 to win the title. OPRF doubles (No. 2) Conrad Brenneman and Maximo Mzaeiro and (No. 3) Tommy McNeil and Elijah Carter won three matches apiece to also claim championships.
Palley, who finished top seven in state last season, leads the Huskies this spring, along with the experienced tandem of Gullo and Belcaster.
“Palley is definitely going to be our top singles player again this year,” Morlidge said. “Gullo and Belcaster are both very experienced players and a solid number one doubles team. I expect big things out of them this season.”
Other varsity returners include Sam Turk and Wyatt Turk as well as the team of juniors Mazeiro and Brenneman.
Sophomore Tommy McNeil is a promising newcomer.
“We were really confident today,” McNeil said on Saturday. “We came out strong and just tried our hardest out there.”
Freshman Ian Smith is another welcomed addition to the OPRF lineup.
“We’ve got a lot of depth,” Morlidge said. “We have a lot of kids that play a lot in the winter, and they’re good hitters and good players. We’re strong all the way own the lineup.”
Per usual, the conference race will be fierce this spring with defending state champion Hinsdale Central, perennial power Lyons Township and OPRF likely comprising the top three spots.
McNeil believes the Huskies are capable of competing with the top teams in the league.
“We’re hitting well but the key will be strategy,” he said. “Placement needs work sometimes, but as the year goes on that will keep getting better.
“My personal goal for the year is to have stronger volleys. I just want to keep improving on the fundamental stuff and help my team in any way that I can.”
Gullo, Belcaster, and Palley will offer their leadership and experience to foster the development of the Huskies’ talented supporting cast.
“It’s definitely been a learning experience to work with the more experienced players,” McNeil said. “It’s been really beneficial and it helps a lot to practice with them.”
