MEN'S TENNIS: Netters begin season with nationals in sight
By Manuel Garcia Sanchez
Apache Staff
After a successful season in which the Apache men’s tennis team went to the nationals for the first time, head coach, Eric Perez, faces this season with confidence and optimism.
The team will include five new members and returning Ottawa sophomores Chris Ford and Ryan Myers, both team co-captains. The talented Ford was ranked 28 th in the National Junior College Athletic Association, and Myers had a record of 8-5 last season .
The newcomers are the freshmen Ryan Blanco from Oglesby, Kevin Olesen from Ottawa, Rob Washo from Princeton, David Rowney from Ottawa, and Joel Hernandez from Streator.
The season expectations are higher than last year when the Apache team finished 24th in the nation.
“This year I expect more. We’ve got more talent this year and I hope to finish at least up 20 in the Nationals,” said Perez.
Ford returns to his No. 1 seed this year. Perez said that the team’s strength is its depth. The head coach likes the idea of being very competitive no matter what team plays against the Apaches.
Despite of the quality of the Apache team, the number of spectators has been small. The players’ relatives are the ones that have showed up for most of the games, Perez said.
“Something that I am trying to change is try to get a little more publicity and work with the papers a little bit more to try to get younger kids excited about coming to IV knowing that we are going to be successful and that we will continue to be,” Perez said.
During the last few months, the team has been practicing twice a week even thoughPerez would like to practice more. But due to the weather conditions, especially the cold temperatures, the team has not been able to practice as much as Perez has wanted.
After his first year as head coach, he has gained a lot of experience.
“I learned it can be a long season, to be patient and that the more effort we put in to it the more successful.”
Lake County and McHenry are the strongest opponent teams the Apaches will face this season, the coach said.
The men were scheduled to play their first matches on March 16 and 17 at home, after press time. The Apaches go on the road to face Elgin, St. Francis of Joliet, Eureka, and Oakton.