By RICHIE HALL
NOBLESVILLE – It was appropriate that the Westfield and Guerin Catholic boys tennis teams scrimmaged against each other Thursday at the Golden Eagles’ courts.
Both teams are enthusiastic about the upcoming season, and with good reason. The Shamrocks will field their biggest team ever, while the Golden Eagles have a sizable roster as well, including a solid cast for its singles lineup.
Westfield coach Tony Peters said there are 30 players on this year’s team, “which is the biggest team we’ve ever had,” he said. The coach credits the Westfield Youth Sports (WYSI) summer youth program with helping to spur interest.
“We’ve really started to grow tennis in Westfield,” said Peters. “It’s starting to funnel up and we’re starting to get bigger teams.”
Peters said that Westfield’s middle school team also has 30 players this season.
“We’re looking to really grow the program and hopefully be able to compete this year and continue to compete with the big schools in the state,” said Peters.
The Shamrocks will do that with an experienced singles lineup. Senior Connor Maris will play at No. 1 singles.
“He was successful there and has played a ton over the off-season, and I’m super excited to see what he can do this year,” said Peters.
Also back is junior Quentin Markle at No. 2 singles, a position he’s held for the past two years. Senior Harrison Sindelar will move from No. 1 doubles to No. 3 singles.
As for the doubles, there are five players competing for four spots. They are seniors Nicholas Mabe and Danny Hildebrand, juniors Connor Housefield and Christian Emigh, and sophomore Brett Barnes.
“All eight of those guys have worked a ton in the offseason and I think we’ve really looked to this season to be one of the best seasons that Westfield tennis has ever had and we’re excited to play, excited to compete,” said Peters.
The Shamrocks open their season Monday by hosting Hamilton Southeastern, then play at Zionsville on Thursday.
Guerin Catholic is being led by second-year coach Chris Sciaudone. The Golden Eagles have 38 players on their team this year.
“We have a lot of enthusiasm,” said Sciaudone. “We have boys who are trying to get better and that’s what we’re about. We’re about player development and having players be better at the end of the season than they are at the start.”
Guerin Catholic has an experienced lineup in singles, with all three of its players returning. Junior Cole Metzger will be back at the No. 1 position, with sophomore Ty Harrington currently playing at No. 2.
“He played quite a bit of singles for us last year,” said Sciaudone.
Another sophomore, Jak Kolb, is at No. 3 singles. Sciaudone said Kolb “played pretty much every varsity match last year, some singles, some doubles.”
“And then in the doubles lineup, we have a lot of new faces this year, and it’s really a work in progress,” said Sciaudone. “We probably have about eight to 10 players who are competing for four spots, but we think that competition just makes us better.”
There will be plenty of competition for the Golden Eagles, starting on Saturday when they play at Fishers. Guerin Catholic then heads to Park Tudor on Tuesday and has its home opener Thursday with Brebeuf Jesuit.
“All three finished last season in the top 10 in the rankings,” said Sciaudone. “We certainly will get a taste of competition early in the year. But we also play Carmel and North Central and most of the traditional powerhouse programs and that’s what we want to do. That helps us understand where we’re trying to be.”
Guerin Catholic sophomore Jak Kolb is playing No. 3 singles for the Golden Eagles boys tennis team. Kolb is part of an experienced GC singles lineup, as all three players competed at the varsity level last year. (Richie Hall)
Westfield junior Carson Kessler is playing No. 1 singles for the Shamrocks junior varsity. There are 30 players on the Westfield team, the most ever for the program. (Richie Hall)