Rebuilding year ahead for BHS boys tennis team

By David Paulsen

SPORTS CORRESPONDENT

After losing the bulk of last year’s team to graduation, the Burlington High School boys tennis team will be in a rebuilding mode this spring.

The Demons lost 14 seniors from the 2012 squad that went 6-1 (second place) in the Southern Lakes Conference, won its subsectional and finished second in the sectional. Overall, last year’s squad was 7-4 in dual meets.

This year’s squad has only two returning letter winners: juniors Conor Schultz and Jon Martin.

“Our lack of experience will probably hurt our dual record, but I am hoping to get some of my young players some matches and build for the future,” head coach Ken Savaglia said.

In previous years, an average of 35 boys has come out for the tennis teams. This year, only 23 are vying for spots on the varsity. That includes nine seniors, four juniors, two sophomores and eight freshmen.

“We are hoping for a few players to come out of the woodwork,” Savaglia said.

Finding those players so far has been difficult as practices have been limited due to poor weather and also to spring break.

Schultz will take over at No. 1 singles for the Demons.

“I expect him to compete for the conference championship,” Savaglia said. “He has put in some off-season work and we hope it pays off with some post-season success.”

Martin looks to be playing a bit of both single and doubles action.

“We need to find him a partner and see if he can play (No.) 1 doubles for us,” Savaglia said.

Savaglia is also counting on seniors Kyle Crayton and Zach Gesteland.

“As of now, I see them playing doubles together,” Savaglia said. “They both have limited experience playing varsity matches, but they practiced with me all last year, so I know what they can do.”

Savaglia, in his 17th season as head coach, and 22nd season with BHS tennis, is assisted by Rose Dolatowski. Dolatowski is the girls tennis coach and has been Savaglia’s assistant for 15 years.

The Demons are scheduled to begin action Saturday, April 6, at the Racine Case Invitational.

Savaglia noted that due to vacations and experience, he will not have many players available for this invitational.

“Kids will be playing in spots above where they should be playing, not only in this match, but all season long,” Savaglia said.

For up-to-date schedules, cancellations or rosters, please visit the Southern Lakes Conference website at www.southernlakesconference.org. Schedule changes due to weather are normally posted on each school’s link within an hour of final decisions being made.