Luca Abbott’s not sure where he’ll end up in the lineup for the Regis Jesuit boys tennis team, but wherever that is, his goal is still the same — win a state championship.
That’s something he’s done in each of the last two seasons for the Raiders, at No. 4 doubles in 2014 and No. 2 doubles last season, and he isn’t satisfied quite yet.
Abbott, fellow senior Erich Nuss and junior Patrick Seby all return to the mix for coach Laura Jones, who had a lot of talent to sift through and find a place for going into the season. The Raiders tied for fourth in the Class 5A state standings last season.
“I don’t think I’m stepping off the pedal, I’m trying to maintain and get better,” Abbott said ahead of his fourth varsity season.
While Abbott and Seby won a state crown together last season and Nuss got his with 2016 graduate Steven Bummer in doubles, all three could end up in the singles ranks this season for the Raiders with the graduation of Max and Tommy Koszowski and Chanon Penvari.
Nuss seems like a natural fit for singles as he played there his first two varsity seasons before his profitable move to doubles last year that he feels has changed his game for the better. Abbott is ready for the challenge of singles, though he has played doubles for his entire high school career.
Regardless of where they end up in the lineup, Jones is grateful she has the two tone-setting seniors who command full respect from the other members of the team.
“Both have been state champions, Luca’s done it twice, and they’ve both been great leaders from day one, even before they were seniors,” Jones said.
Besides the three state champions, the Raiders bring back sophomores Kosta Garger and Evan Nuss — who finished second at No. 3 doubles last season — along with juniors Will Dennen and Matt McCarthy, who claimed third place at No. 4 doubles.
Jones is unsure if either state- placing tandem will play together again, but is confident that group — plus newcomer Emilio Gonzalez, a freshman — can keep Regis Jesuit’s strong doubles tradition going.
Overland returns both of its state qualifiers in senior Draden Hoover and junior David Kijak at No. 1 and No. 2 singles.
Hoover played two varsity seasons in three years and made state both times, but is still looking for his first victory. A torn groin muscle suffered at regionals hampered him at state and he’s recovering from a shoulder injury coming into the new season, but feels better with his mental game and an improved forehand.
Hoover is glad to have Kijak — who posted a playback win at state last season and suffered his two losses to the players who finished first and fourth at No. 2 singles — to help him get better and vice versa.
“David is awesome, we’ve grown to be really good friends,” Hoover said. “It’s great having him because there haven’t been many players at Overland where we’re competing against each other at a high level. We’re extremely competitive and it’s helped both of us.”
Cherokee Trail graduated eight of its 12 varsity players from last season — including three 5A state qualifiers — but returns senior Tom Parsons, who made it to state at No. 2 doubles and won a match with graduated partner Colin Richardson.
The Cougars have another player with state experience in senior No. 1 Dylan Zumar, who placed third at regionals, but fell short of a return to state after a 2014 appearance.
Grandview returns five players from a team that finished 4-6 in dual matches, including a state qualifier in junior Matthew Yan, who went as part of a doubles team last season.
Seniors Rohan Suri, Adi Basker and Michael Troutman join Yan and fellow junior Illjah Bailey, who will fill the No. 1 singles spot for the third straight season, as an experienced core for coach Jeff Ryan.
Youth is in abundance for coach Jeff Davis’ Smoky Hill squad, which graduated six seniors from last season.
Juniors Tim Domashevich and Caleb Carlson, who played together at No. 1 doubles last season but are likely to play in the singles ranks, offer stability for the Buffs, while young talent — in part a byproduct of a ramped up summer schedule — offer promise for the present and future.
Rangeview — third in the EMAC standings last season — has gone through a lot change, but returns a regional doubles placer in senior Jacob Stockinger.
Senior Tim Chang, junior Abel Negussie and sophomores Ben Capozzolo and Sam Newman provide some promise for coach Zeb Carabello’s Raiders, who lost of a lot of experience to graduation.
Key dates and information on the 2016 Aurora boys tennis season, here.
Courtney Oakes is Aurora Sentinel Sports Editor. Reach him at 303-750-7555 or sports@aurorasentinel.com. Twitter: @aurorasports. FB: Aurora Prep Sentinel
2016 AURORA BOYS TENNIS PLAYERS TO WATCH
Luca Abbott, Regis Jesuit, sr.*!; Illijah Bailey, Grandview, jr.; Adhithya Basker, Grandview, sr.; Tim Chang, Rangeview, sr.; Will Dennen, Regis Jesuit, jr.*; Kosta Garger, Regis Jesuit, soph.*!; Andy Hansman, Eaglecrest, sr.; Draden Hoover, Overland, sr.*; David Kijak, Overland, jr.*; Matt McCarthy, Regis Jesuit, jr.*!; Erich Nuss, Regis Jesuit, sr.*!; Evan Nuss, Regis Jesuit, soph.*!; Tom Parsons, Cherokee Trail, sr.*; Patrick Seby, Regis Jesuit, jr.*!; Matthew Yan, Grandview, jr.; Jacob Stockinger, Rangeview, sr.; Rohan Suri, Grandview, sr.; Cooper Tedstrom, Eaglecrest, sr.; Michael Troutman, Grandview, sr.; Dylan Zumar, Cherokee Trail, sr.
* — Returning Class 5A state qualifier; ! — Returning 5A state placer