Hornets return talented group
Tennis squad looking to top Suburban League American
Highland’s boys tennis team is coming off a successful season and is looking for more of the same. Photo by TODD STUMPF
Lisa Reynolds has been around the block in terms of coaching boys tennis, having been at Highland for 14 years now.
By all measure, last year was a special year for the Hornets.
Seniors such as Michael Joyce, Ben Kelly, Blake Sours and Woody Funk all put their stamp on the season for Highland.
“They were a special group,” Reynolds said. “All had been sixth-graders in my class who took an interest in tennis, and became friends. Anytime you have a group who are also friends off the court it makes for a great experience on the court.”
Those teammates parlayed that great experience into a 14-2 record, making Highland runners-up in the Suburban League American Division. The Hornets’ only two blemishes were close losses to Suburban heavyweight Copley and Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Well, get ready for another season near the top of the SL American as Highland returns a veteran team, led by co-captain Isaac Adler, back at the No. 1 singles spot.
Last year as a junior, Adler went 19-9 and was the school’s first Division I District qualifier.
Other returning seniors include co-captain Evan Kuczynski, Mark Liebenguth, Braden Webb, Pierce Noonan and Luke Vitko.
There should be some continuity in the three singles slots. Kuczynski, who manned the third singles position in 2016, will move to the second position, taking over for Joyce.
The one new player on the singles side of the ball will be sophomore Kyle Yamat, who will take the No. 3 spot. Yamat played varsity as a freshman as he started second doubles.
The biggest area of need will be in doubles, as the graduation of Kelly and Funk leave a big hole at first doubles. The duo went undefeated last year in SL play in dominating competition. Sours, who comprised the No. 2 doubles team with Yamat, is also gone, meaning the Hornets will see 100 percent turnover on that court.
Reynolds, who tinkered with her lineup quite a bit last season, thanks to the team’s versatility, may be doing that again, particularly in doubles.
“I will be looking to work guys into the lineup all season,” Reynolds said.
Joining the mix in doubles alongside Liebenguth, Webb, Noonan and Vitko will be Paval Biyanskiy, a freshman.
Despite the upheaval at doubles, this is a team that has accrued scads of experience and should be in the mix once again within the Suburban American, which is one goal of Reynolds.
“We would like to finish at the top of the league again this season,” Reynolds said.
More than just their skill with a racquet and ball at the net, she is proud of the way her players exhibit off the court as well.
“Three of our players competed in the Mr. Hornet contest at Highland High School, Isaac Hadler, representing tennis, Evan Kaczynski, representing chorale, and Braden Webb, representing speech and debate,” Reynolds said. “Isaac and Braden were in the top five with Brayden placing third.”
By all measure, last year was a special year for the Hornets.
Seniors such as Michael Joyce, Ben Kelly, Blake Sours and Woody Funk all put their stamp on the season for Highland.
“They were a special group,” Reynolds said. “All had been sixth-graders in my class who took an interest in tennis, and became friends. Anytime you have a group who are also friends off the court it makes for a great experience on the court.”
Those teammates parlayed that great experience into a 14-2 record, making Highland runners-up in the Suburban League American Division. The Hornets’ only two blemishes were close losses to Suburban heavyweight Copley and Cleveland St. Ignatius.
Well, get ready for another season near the top of the SL American as Highland returns a veteran team, led by co-captain Isaac Adler, back at the No. 1 singles spot.
Last year as a junior, Adler went 19-9 and was the school’s first Division I District qualifier.
Other returning seniors include co-captain Evan Kuczynski, Mark Liebenguth, Braden Webb, Pierce Noonan and Luke Vitko.
There should be some continuity in the three singles slots. Kuczynski, who manned the third singles position in 2016, will move to the second position, taking over for Joyce.
The one new player on the singles side of the ball will be sophomore Kyle Yamat, who will take the No. 3 spot. Yamat played varsity as a freshman as he started second doubles.
The biggest area of need will be in doubles, as the graduation of Kelly and Funk leave a big hole at first doubles. The duo went undefeated last year in SL play in dominating competition. Sours, who comprised the No. 2 doubles team with Yamat, is also gone, meaning the Hornets will see 100 percent turnover on that court.
Reynolds, who tinkered with her lineup quite a bit last season, thanks to the team’s versatility, may be doing that again, particularly in doubles.
“I will be looking to work guys into the lineup all season,” Reynolds said.
Joining the mix in doubles alongside Liebenguth, Webb, Noonan and Vitko will be Paval Biyanskiy, a freshman.
Despite the upheaval at doubles, this is a team that has accrued scads of experience and should be in the mix once again within the Suburban American, which is one goal of Reynolds.
“We would like to finish at the top of the league again this season,” Reynolds said.
More than just their skill with a racquet and ball at the net, she is proud of the way her players exhibit off the court as well.
“Three of our players competed in the Mr. Hornet contest at Highland High School, Isaac Hadler, representing tennis, Evan Kaczynski, representing chorale, and Braden Webb, representing speech and debate,” Reynolds said. “Isaac and Braden were in the top five with Brayden placing third.”