Despite losing nine players to graduation from last year’s team, which went 9-2 in dual meets and finished third in the West Suburban Silver, things are trending upward for Oak Park and River Forest High School boys varsity tennis.
“We have an unbelievably even team,” said OPRF coach John Morlidge, who has led the Huskies since 1993. “After our first top spots, most kids are even in ability.”
OPRF has seven returning players, including junior Eli Stein, who qualified for the IHSA state tournament in singles last year. Other returnees are juniors Alex Dolipschi and Manu Rajagopal, and seniors Ian Hansen, Cameron Khaledan, Will Neumann, and Evan Pope.
Newcomers to watch are freshmen Jackson Dodd and Nick Vizzone; sophomores Nick Balesteri, George Barkidjija, and Sebastian Hilton; juniors Reese Brotman and Lev Khoubaev; and seniors Justin Hsieh, Henry Kurtz, and Shea Sturtevant.
The Huskies are 1-1 this season, defeating Vernon Hills but losing to Deerfield. Over the next few weeks, OPRF has meets with Lane Tech, Latin, and St. Ignatius — all are schools participating in the sectional the Huskies will be assigned to. Further preparation for the state tournament takes place at the Hersey Invitational featuring several top programs, April 13.
With likely five NCAA Division I prospects, longtime power Hinsdale Central is the overwhelming favorite in the WSC Silver. Lyons Township should also be strong.
Morlidge said the Huskies’ success this spring will be based on striking a perfect balance between providing experience for the new players while being competitive.
“I need to try to put the best lineup out there to win, but still develop the younger players,” he said.
Fenwick
Having only four returning varsity players, Fenwick has quite a reloading process ahead this season, which is the final one for head coach Gerard Sullivan. The school announced earlier this month that Ron Rogala would take over both the girls and boys programs starting next school year.
“It’s a rebuilding year for us with eight seniors having graduated from last year’s varsity,” said Sullivan, in his 32nd season.
Fenwick returns junior David Schubkegel and seniors Matt Bero, Jake Brecknock, and Tommy Shishman. Schubkegel, who missed most of last season due to injury, is currently slotted at #1 in both singles and doubles.
Brecknock is described by Sullivan as a “top-two player,” while Bero and Shishman are a doubles pair capable of playing either first or second.
“Tommy ended last season in the #1 singles position,” Sullivan said. “Matt was new to the team as a junior and has greatly improved.”
Newcomers to the Friars are sophomores Scott Holliday and Cooper Jones; juniors Milo Arado and Brian Bardsley; and seniors Tommy Dobry and Luke Dolsen.
“Dobry was a strong depth player last season,” Sullivan said. “Milo is currently at #2 or #3 doubles with Dobry.”
As Fenwick develops its lineup in the early season, it hopes that the expected early bumps will pay dividends come May.