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Fox Valley Conference
Cary-Grove
Coach: Amanda Schuetzle (10th season)
Top returners: Nick Belgrave, sr.; Brandon Burtschi, jr.; Michael Csoka, sr.; Tyler Deal, sr.; Sam Kedzior, jr.; Brandon Poe, sr.; Justin Schoepke, sr.
Key newcomers: Noah Marrano, fr.; Nick Nemeth, jr.; Jacob Schaefer, sr.; Daniel Jauch, jr.; Thomas Fornelli, jr.
Worth noting: The Trojans lost nine seniors to graduation in 2020, leaving many open spots in the lineup. … Kedzior and Belgrave are two of C-G’s strongest players and leaders, Schuetzle said. “Sam is incredibly athletic and competitive, and Nick is our quiet and focused hard worker,” she said. … Marrano is someone to look out for, Schuetzle added. “He is experienced and competitive but also keeps himself emotionally balanced on the court, even as a freshman.” ... “We have a smaller, less experienced group, but that has allowed us more time to work on the details to strengthen our games,” Schuetzle said. “They are pushing each other to be better daily. The simple joy of being on the court as a team and competing together has built great focus for the season.”
Crystal Lake Central
Coach: Cory Osterberg (second season of second stint, sixth overall)
Top returners: Logan Wasilk, so.; Joel Brickey, sr.; Ben Weichman, jr.; Ethan Bass, jr.; Henry Yentsch, sr.,; Sten Shuman, sr.; Jackson Bucker, sr.; Lucas Kurkowski, jr.
Key newcomers: Brandon Oconer, fr.; Oliver True, fr.
Worth noting: The Tigers had five state qualifiers in 2019 (one singles and two doubles teams) to lead the area, but have all since graduated. … Osterberg expects Wasilk to hold down the No. 1 singles spot, which previously was held by 2019 FVC No. 1 singles tournament champion John Wallace, for the Tigers. “He’s very tough and has all the tools, just needs to fine tune them,” Osterberg said of Wasilk. … Brickey will fill the other top spot for Central. … “I’m excited to have a group of guys who really enjoy being around each other and who are hardworking and coachable,” Osterberg said. “I know that we’ll put up a fight on a daily basis.”
Crystal Lake South
Coach: Rick Bailey (second season)
Top returners: Jackson Schuetzle, jr.; and Ethen Schock, jr.
Key newcomers: Aaron Koh, so.; Willem Granzin, so.; Cal Schneider, jr.; Andrew Stumo, jr.; Cam Slonneger, jr.; Will Bradstreet, jr.; Jack Dacy, fr.; Ryan Smithana, fr.
Worth noting: The Gators played down in Class 1A in 2019 and won their first sectional title since 2010. ... Schuetzle won 28 matches at No. 1 singles as a freshman, winning the singles title at sectionals and going 3-2 at state. He was a Northwest Herald All-Area second-team selection in 2019. “Jackson is one of the best players I have ever had the chance to coach in my 32 (years) as a tennis coach,” Bailey said. “He has a work ethic that is off the charts.” ... Schock was an All-Area honorable mention selection in 2019 after winning 20 matches as a freshman. ... Evelyn Youel, a 2014 Crystal Lake Central grad and former player at NIU, will be an assistant at South. She coached the girls team in the fall. ... “With so many newcomers, my expectations will be what they’ve always been with every team I’ve coached, work hard, enjoy the ride, improve, and play your best at the end,” Bailey said. I’m expecting big seasons from Jackson and Ethen.”
Hampshire
Coach: Dylan Clark (second season)
Top returners: Emilio Rodriguez, sr.; Bryce Diego, sr.; Palmer Larson, sr.
Key newcomers: Tyler Yu, so.; Joseph Causing, so.; Shiv Patel, so.; Giovanni Patino, jr.
Worth noting: Clark likes the growth he has seen from Rodriguez, who is expected to play out of the No. 1 singles spot for the Whip-Purs. “Emilio Rodriguez has shown and will continue to show rapid growth at No. 1 singles,” Clark said. … Hampshire is still experimenting with different lineups at doubles. Clark likes the depth of his team and the bottom half of the lineup might surprise some people in the FVC, he said. … “This year, Hampshire hopes to make great improvements,” Clark said. “We were robbed of a season last year, so a lot of the boys are eager to try to make up for the time away. ... As a coach, I’m most excited to see my players grow and build character.”
Huntley
Coach: Barry Wells (15th season)
Top returners: Saarav Desai, sr.; Thomas Patel, sr.; Andrew Burkey, sr.; Jason Coleman, sr.; Daniru Dharmaratne, sr.; Matt Grubbs, jr.
Key newcomers: Ben Hein, so.; Jonathon Stec, so.
Worth noting: The Red Raiders came up just short of winning back-to-back FVC titles in 2019, going 15-3 overall and 7-1 in the FVC. Their only FVC dual loss came to Jacobs, and they lost in the FVC tournament by two points to Jacobs. … Desai is a two-time Northwest Herald All-Area selection, earning first-team honors as a freshman and second-team as a sophomore. He will fill the No. 1 singles spot for Huntley. … Desai finished third at No. 1 singles at the 2019 FVC tournament. Patel (All-Area honorable mention in 2019) was runner-up at No. 2 singles, Grubbs (All-Area honorable mention) was first at No. 3 singles, and Burkey (All-Area honorable mention) was part of the No. 3 doubles team that was also first. … “We return an experienced and talented group that has the potential to have a great season,” Wells said. “I think that we have the potential to medal at every position in the FVC and have multiple state qualifiers.”
Jacobs
Coach: Jon Betts (seventh season)
Top returners: John Kaiser, sr.; Thomas Nelson, jr., Jed Sia, jr.; Justin Brzeski, jr.; Justin Cunningham, jr.; Kyle McNally, so.
Key newcomers: Andrew Fulton, sr.. Jubin Vettikkatt, sr.; Kris Shah, sr.; Aidan Talreja, jr.; Brandon Japkowski, jr.
Worth noting: The Golden Eagles went 29-8 overall and 8-0 in the FVC, winning both the regular-season and tournament titles. Nelson was runner-up at the 2019 FVC tournament No. 1 singles bracket, losing to Central’s John Wallace in the final. Nelson qualified for state as a freshman and was 2-2. … Betts expects big things out of Kyle McNally, who is playing high school tennis for the first time as a sophomore after last year’s lost season. Kaiser was an All-Area first-team pick in 2019. He and 2019 graduate Kevin Burton were runners-up in the No. 1 doubles bracket at the FVC meet and finished 6-2 during the regular season. … Sia (All-Area honorable mention in 2019) was runner-up at the No. 3 singles bracket at the 2019 FVC tournament, while Brzeski (All-Area honorable mention) was part of the No. 3 doubles team that took second. … “COVID has posed many challenges, but it also provided us some flexibility and openings in our schedule to pursue the state’s best teams,” Betts said. “As I’ve told our boys, my job is to chase losses, their job is to compete and improve. If we are able to stay focused and healthy we have the potential to challenge our program’s top state finish (10th in 2016).”
McHenry
Coach: Kyle Funkhouser (15th season)
Top returners: Cole Bone, jr.; Nolan Carlson, jr.; Lukas Thomas, jr.; Aidan Koleno, sr.; Jack Waters, jr.
Key newcomers: Gordon Wechselberger, jr.; Nate Neufeld, fr.; Finn Hammerl, fr.; Steven Morrow, jr.; Nate Wickert, jr.; Chris Schoder, jr.; Dustin Thielsen, jr.
Worth noting: The Warriors were a point behind Dundee-Crown and finished last at the 2019 FVC meet, but Funkhouser likes the potential of the 2021 team, with some promising new players added to the mix. … “We have a couple of young players that should fit right in with our group of upperclassmen,” Funkhouser said. “I’m expecting the guys to be competitive and continue to improve throughout the season.”
Prairie Ridge
Coach: Willy Stastny (second season)
Top returners: Saif Karim, sr.; Sam Kim, sr.; Nate Kim, sr.
Key newcomers: Nolan Frey, so.; Jaylan Tucker, so.; Ethan Ormsby, fr.
Worth noting: The Wolves placed third at the 2019 FVC tournament, with graduates Mason Kueller and Jared Arkell winning the No. 1 doubles bracket. … Sam Kim (All-Area honorable mention in 2019) qualified for state as a sophomore with Hunter Frederick as part of a doubles team for Prairie Ridge. … “I’m looking forward to seeing what the seniors can do with their last season, how they can pass on their knowledge and habits to the younger players on the team,” Stastny said. “Hopefully, Sam and Nate Kim will have a strong showing in doubles. Beside the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles positions, our lineup is going to be constantly changing. There will be lots of players getting both doubles and singles experience.”
Kishwaukee River Conference
Marengo
Coach: Jennifer Haas (first season)
Top returners: Blake Martin, sr.; Aaron Phillips, sr.; Marco Magrini, sr.
Key newcomer: Leo Bankel, fr.
Worth noting: The Indians have a smaller team compared to past years, with only three seniors, one sophomore and three freshmen making up the roster. “I see our three seniors – Martin, Phillips and Magrini – having big years and finishing their high school tennis careers strong,” Haas said. Bankel has good technique and will be impactful as a freshman, Haas added. … “Our strengths include a good core with three returning seniors, as well as great attitudes and a strong willingness to learn new skills,” Haas said. “We are a small team with a few players that are very new to the game of tennis, but everyone is learning very quickly.”
Woodstock
Coach: Jake Porter (fourth season)
Top returners: Riley Ellegood, sr.; Brad Arnold, sr.
Key newcomers: Sam Berry, jr.; Matt Keyzer, jr.; Jake Murray, jr.; Luke Trewyn, jr.
Worth noting: Woodstock narrowly beat Woodstock North for the 2019 KRC tournament title, winning with 23 points to North’s 21 points and taking first in four positions. … The Blue Streaks are starting the year with a scrambled roster, as many returning players are currently playing other sports as well. … Porter thinks Ellegood and Arnold can make some noise at sectionals as the team’s top singles players and leaders. Arnold was first in the No. 2 singles bracket at the 2019 KRC tournament. … Berry, Keyzer, Murray and Trewyn are all athletic and will compete for the No. 1 and 2 doubles spots, Porter said. “Many players will be playing their first tennis matches, which happen to be at the varsity level,” Porter said. “Improvement from game to game and set to set is what is important to us this year.”
Woodstock North
Coach: Bart Zadlo (third season)
Top returners: Jason Packard, sr.; Edgar Chavez, sr.; Marco Sotelo, jr.; Cole Lanci, jr.; Jason Burg, jr.; Noah Kurchina, jr.
Key newcomers: James Termanas, sr.; Justin Chase, so.
Worth noting: Zadlo has already seen Packard, Sotelo and Lanci stepping up in practice and leading the team. He expects the Thunder to contend for a conference title after losing to crosstown rival Woodstock by only two points at the 2019 KRC meet. … The returning players have put in a ton of work,” Zadlo said. “We have had several players commit more time to tennis,” he said. “Due to last season getting canceled, several of our players have come back this year with advanced skills and in better shape. Several of the players on our team used tennis as a healthy way to destress and stay active during the last year.”
East Suburban Catholic Conference
Marian Central
Coach: Bill OHerron (first season)
Top returners: Carlo Fragante, sr.; Jeremey Henkel, jr.
Key newcomers: Robert Eschenbacher, so.; Billy Collins, jr.
Worth noting: The Hurricanes placed ninth out of 10 teams in the 2019 ESCC Tournament, getting most of their points with a third-place finish from graduate Michael Dowling at No. 1 singles. Marian finished 9-11 overall and 1-3 in the ESCC in 2019. … Fragante and Henkle likely will form the No. 1 doubles team for Marian. Collins is a first-year tennis player but has a lot of talent, OHerron said. Eschenbacher is working his way back from a hand injury. … “Our strengths will be our singles competition,” OHerron said. “We’re expecting big leaps from Robert and Billy as the season progresses. We’re hoping for big years out of our singles and our top doubles team of Jeremey and Carlo.”