By Mike Ramczyk
Sports Editor
From a No. 1 singles freshman to a player new to tennis showing potential, the Burlington boys tennis team has talent from all ends of the spectrum.
After losing only Jon Martin from a year ago, six returning letter-winners and a few fresh faces have the Demons looking to improve on a 3-8 Southern Lakes record.
At Saturday’s Muskego Quad, which saw the local boys finish 0-3 for the chilly, cloudy afternoon, BHS coach Ken Savaglia, now in his 19th season, said numbers are down in the entire program.
However, there are bright spots. Freshman Jacob Ludwig, who has played for a few years already at Four Lakes Athletic Club in Elkhorn, has stood out as the No. 1 singles stalwart.
“Having him man the 1 spot can be both a strength and a weakness,” Savaglia said. “He will take some lumps this year, but in the end he will continue to get better by playing the better competition.”
Though overall program numbers may be down, Savaglia likes the team’s depth, so he feels good about plugging guys in.
Dylan Kleitsch, Kyle Talley, Dominic James, Spencer Spiewak, Tedman Yonash and John Neu all saw plenty of action last season.
Along with Ludwig, seniors Eric Johnson and Jacob Drettwan have made a splash as new guys, and freshman Andrew Zeman hopes to contribute.
Johnson is 4-2 to start the season. The lefty, who also plays basketball, is a natural athlete on the court.
Burlington opened the season 2-0.
“They were really into the matches, and they’re looking to get better every day in practice.”
Since the hot start, the boys have cooled off considerably.
Burlington’s last win came on April 16, when Ludwig won a battle and Spiewak (3 singles) had the game-clinching decision in a 4-3 win over Union Grove.
Since then, the Demons have gone 0-6 with three losses in conference play.
On Tuesday, the boys were handled by Lake Geneva Badger, 6-1.
At Saturday’s Quad, the Demons fell to Milwaukee King, 5-2, Muskego, 7-0, and Indian Trail, 5-2.
“With only three wins all of last year, I am feeling OK about where we’re at,” Savaglia said. “With the new additions, it should help out this year quite a bit. I would love to see us at or above .500 and competing in every match. That, I think, is a reasonable goal and one we can achieve.”
Savaglia said he hopes the team can finish in the top half of the conference, or the top four.
But Westosha Central is the team to beat right now, he said.
Burlington fell to SLC foes Waterford and Elkhorn earlier this season, so it’s been a tough road.
The Demons return to SLC action Thursday at Delavan-Darien.
The win total is already matched from last year. Time will tell if Burlington can keep building toward the postseason.
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