2015 Boys Tennis Capsule Previews
ADELSON SCHOOL
League: Division I-A Sunset
Head coach: Tom Gillespie, third season
2014 record: 2-8 (2-6 Sunset, seventh)
Outlook: The Lions are hoping to improve and move up in the Sunset League standings this year.
"We are hopeful, this year, to be one of the top three high school tennis teams," Gillespie said.
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ARBOR VIEW
League: Division I Northwest
Head coach: Brian Griffin, second season
2014 record: 7-5 (5-3 Northwest, second)
Returning lettermen: Four
Top athletes: John David (So.), Luke Cordova (Jr.), Tyler Branton (Sr.), Jesse Vogel (Sr.)
Outlook: The Aggies have only four lettermen back from a team that finished second in the Northwest League last year, but have high hopes for the season.
"We would love to compete for the league title this year," Griffin said. "There are lots of newcomers to the team, but they have athletic backgrounds and will help us be successful."
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BASIC
League: Division I Southeast
Head coach: Bart Black, 19th season
2014 record: 6-7 (5-5 Southeast, fourth)
Returning lettermen: Seven
Top athletes: Trever Berg (Sr.)
Outlook: Berg advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sunrise Region doubles tournament last year and is one of seven returnees, five of whom saw a significant amount of time for the Wolves.
"It's a young team with only two seniors who played last year," Black said. "We're hoping to battle for a playoff spot and return to the postseason."
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CORONADO
League: Division I Southeast
Head coach: Luther Bohanan, 10th season
2014 record: 15-1 (10-0 Southeast, first)
Returning lettermen: Eight
Top athletes: Ryland McDermott (Sr.), Sam Grant (Sr.)
Outlook: McDermott finished second in the state singles tournament last year, and joins Grant as one of the top 1-2 punches in Southern Nevada, for the Cougars, who have advanced to the state final in each of the last seven seasons.
Coronado, which finished second in the state last year, is hoping to extend its streak of 10 straight state tournament appearances.
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DESERT PINES
League: Division I-A Sunrise
Head coach: Rich Luong, third season
2014 record: 7-6 (4-3 Sunrise, fourth)
Returning lettermen: Four
Top athletes: Oscar Murillo (Jr.), Artemio Gonzalez (Sr.), Adan Cano (So.), Alex Macias (Sr.)
Outlook: After making the playoffs with just a seven-person team last year, the Jaguars will field a full nine players this season.
"The Jaguars will be led by returning players Oscar Murillo, Artemio Gonzalez and Adan Cano," Luong said. "Newcomers Kevin Giron, Kim Halasan, Edgar Diaz and Darius Swinton have worked extremely hard over the summer and will contribute immensely.
"Our key players have matured and will bolster the team to a division win and be competitive in the playoffs."
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FAITH LUTHERAN
League: Division I-A Sunset
Head coach: Jeff Foley, fifth season
2014 record: 10-5 (5-3 Sunset, fourth)
Top athletes: Jack Stevens (Sr.), Brandon Brighi (Sr.), Matt Shuirman (Sr.), Hunter Kascur (Sr.)
Outlook: Stevens, who was a Southern Region quarterfinalist in singles last season, already owns the program's record for wins with 87.
Brighi and Shuirman teamed to advance to the quarterfinals in the region doubles tournament.
"With 10 seniors, this is the most experienced team Faith has ever fielded," Foley said. "Nine players are back who saw action in the team state semifinals in 2013, and the team has added in some quality freshmen and has a solid group of returning juniors and sophomores that are ready to push for time.
"The competition for starting spots will be intense," added Foley, who is hoping to return to the state tournament as a team.
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FOOTHILL
League: Division I Southeast
Head coach: Mark Richards, 12th season
2014 record: 7-6 (6-4 Southeast, second)
Returning lettermen: Ten
Top athletes: Billy Crawford (Sr.), Tristin Hansel (Sr.), Lukas Werle (Sr.), Teodor Drabicki (Sr.)
Outlook: Hansel, Drabicki and Werle all advanced to the quarterfinals of the Sunrise Region doubles tournament last year and are among 10 returnees for the Falcons, who also picked up Crawford, a transfer from Texas, where he placed third in his district singles tournament.
"With seven seniors, six of which have played at Foothill for four years and another transferring from Texas, the team hopes to return to the playoffs and avenge a 10-8 loss from last year in the Sunrise Region semifinals," Richards said.
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LAS VEGAS
League: Division I Northeast
Head coach: Kade McAllister, second season
2014 record: 6-5 (4-4 Northeast, third)
Returning lettermen: Six
Top athletes: Trey Chauncey (Jr.), Ben Bowen (Jr.), Kyle Monton (Jr.)
Outlook: With a year of experience under their belts, the Wildcats are hoping for more success this season.
"We have a number of juniors looking to use their playoff experience from last year to advance further in the playoff this year," McAllister said.
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PALO VERDE
League: Division I Southwest
Head coach: Zach Brandt, 13th season
2014 record: 16-0 (8-0 Southwest, first)
Returning lettermen: Twelve
Top athletes: Brandon Sulzberg (Jr.), Davis Waid (Jr.), Sam Soderberg (Jr.)
Outlook: Coming off their sixth state title in the last 11 seasons, the Panthers may have a little work to do after losing a talented senior class.
But Palo Verde rarely is in rebuilding mode as the roster is deep and more than capable of filling in holes.
Sulzberg was part of a doubles team that finished third in the state last year and will be among the squad's leaders.
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VALLEY
League: Division I Northeast
Head coach: Matt Porter, 11th season
2014 record: 8-4 (6-2 Northeast, second)
Returning lettermen: Ten
Top athletes: Marty Heavey (Sr.), Alex Gustilo (Sr.), James Larson (Jr.), Jeremiah Williams (Jr.)
Outlook: Heavey (15-1), Larson (13-6) and Williams (12-4) all had successful seasons in singles last year, as did Gustilo (14-5) in doubles.
"We are well-balanced with very skilled singles and doubles players," Porter said. "If we stay committed, and work hard we can have a very successful season. Marty Heavey and Alex Gustilo are very talented and experienced players that will be the foundation of the team."
