With six players returning from last year’s varsity, the Lake Orion boys tennis team hopes to finish higher this year in Division II, after ending up in the middle of the pack last season.
Coach Jody Winkleman said her team will try to make less unforced errors and keep their heads on the court this year to help improve the team’s record.
Returning are seniors Ches Denison and Jason Thom, and juniors Mark Eden, Peter Tinetti, Michael Zach and Cham Zhao.
Denison and Zach are the team’s captains.
Also playing on varsity are senior Ramsey Attar, junior Shaun Clover, sophomore Ashland Denison, junior Tom Lagona, junior Ryan Myslakowski, senior Charles Towne, junior Spencer Truax and sophomore Blake Young.
The Dragons played against Rochester Adams on April 12, losing 7-1, as Adams moved down to Division II this year.
‘That’s a challenge for us,? Winkleman, a nine-year coach for Lake Orion, said.
‘Mark and Cham have stepped up their games,? she continued. ‘We want to improve our physical and mental game. Our strength will be our mental game and having fun on the court.
‘The right attitude keeps their performance at the right level,? Winkleman said.
The Dragons opened the season on April 7 against Royal Oak Kimball, winning 6-2.
Winning singles matches for Orion were Zach, Eden, Denison and Zhao.
Winning doubles were Lagona/Young, and Myslakowski/Thom.
Against Adams, Denison was the lone winner for Orion, taking his singles match over Collin Dickey, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1.
The team played Clarkston on April 14, winning 5-3.
Taking singles matches for the Dragons were Zach, Eden, Denison and Zhao, while Tinetti and Clover were the only doubles winners for Orion.
‘Their off season work has kept them competitive,? Winkleman said. ‘I’m hoping we’ll surprise some people.?
Winkleman said the JV and varsity programs both have a lot of new young players this year, and the JV squad is being coached by Scott Simon.