The Lake Orion High School varsity tennis team is returning only four players with varsity experience this season, but head coach Jody Winkleman said the team is anxious to get the season underway.
“We left a few on the junior varsity that could step up if the need arises,” she said. “It’s hard to make that separation.”
Winkleman said she will end up with 12-14 players on varsity this year, with a total of 31 players in the varsity and junior varsity programs combined.
Returning for varsity are seniors Justin Kirtland, Shalako Denison and Todd Lawless, and sophomore Kuba Swierszcywk.
Winkleman said freshmen Chris Lagona and Mike Zach are at the top of the junior varsity program and have strong potential to possibly move up to varsity.
“Right now, we have six freshmen, 14 sophomores, eight juniors and three seniors,” she said. “We haven’t picked captains yet, but I’ll be looking for the veteran upper classmen to provide the leadership.”
The team lost eight of its 12 players to graduation last year, and Winkleman said the team knew this season would be a rebuilding one.
“It appears players played a lot in the off season and they are hungry this year to be competitive in both singles and doubles,” she said. “I’m confident our returning players will mostly take the responsibility for singles, but we’ll be putting people in the position that’s best for the team.”
Lake Orion will see some new competition in OAA II this year from Farmington schools, who joined the league this season.
“Farmington is bringing in some strong tennis and that’s making us more competitive,” Winkleman said. “We perform really well given the big picture. We have a lot of multiple-sport athletes on the team.”
Winkleman said attitudes on the team are good, and the players are ready to get the season started.
“The are enthusiastic to challenge each other…so we’re leaving some big group stuff to do for a rainy day,” she said. “It’ll definitely be a different year.”
The junior varsity team is being coached this year by newcomer Kevin Kopec.
“He’s a great addition,” Winkleman said. “He’s a graduate of Clarkston and he comes from a tennis family.”
The varsity team got their season off to a winning start on March 29, as they took first place in the Van Dyke Tennis Classic. Romeo was second, Troy Athens was third, and Macomb Dakota finished fourth. Lake Orion plays against Lapeer East at home on Wednesday.