Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, April 11, 1991 TAG: 9104110180
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-6 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: M.J. DOUGHERTY/ CORRESPONDENT
DATELINE: LENGTH: Long
One team - Christiansburg - returns its entire starting ladder from 1990. Conversely, Blacksburg and Giles each lost five of the top six players from last year.
Floyd County has no seniors. Three teams - Auburn, Pulaski County, Radford - returning no more than half their starting ladders still bring back their top singles players.
The perennial tennis powers again will contend for district title: Blacksburg in the New River; Galax in the Mountain Empire; and Cave Spring and Patrick Henry in the Roanoke Valley. However, with its returnees, Christiansburg has an excellent chance to join that list of district powers.
"I'd say we're going to be the strong one in our district," said Christiansburg coach Jack Williams. "We should be. If the kids work and dedicate themselves themselves, we will be."
Also, Pulaski County should be a contender in the Roanoke Valley District and Narrows may make a run in the Mountain Empire.
Following are the team-by-team previews for the eight high schools in the New River Valley with boys' tennis teams (Shawsville High will not have a team this year):
AUBURN: Optimism abounds as the Eagles look to improve on last year's middle-of-the-pack finish in the Mountain Empire.
"We expect to be better this year," coach Steve Huppert said.
Leading Auburn will be junior player Nathan Jones, its top singles player last year. The junior is the only member of the top-six back.
Other returnees for the Eagles include a pair of sophomores who were reserves last year: Phillip Renfro and Robert Smith. And freshman Mike Dingus brings local tennis experience to the lineup and should help immediately.
BLACKSBURG: Despite the loss of all but one player from their singles lineup to graduation, the Indians expect to be ready to defend their district title by the end of the season.
"I'd like to think of it as reloading," coach Mickey McGuigan said. "The players we returned got quite a bit of playing time last year. I feel we'll be in pretty good shape."
The Indians' only returnee is senior Chris Gordon. The senior moves from playing No. 6 to No. 2.
Much of the rest of the lineup will feature players who have experience outside Blacksburg's top six. Junior Jan Pablo Schurig, who played No. 8 last year, will be Blacksburg's No. 1 singles player. Senior Pamil Kuppusamy moves from the No. 3 doubles team to the No. 3 singles position.
Newcomers will occupy positions five and six. Senior Yuji Mizuto, a foreign exchange student from Japan, will be No. 4 and freshman Justin Turner will be No. 5. Robbie Fraraccio, a senior, will be at No. 6. The reserves include junior Cyrus Shokrali and sophomore Tony Chen.
CHRISTIANSBURG: With their top six players back, the Blue Demons' find themselves in an enviable position - they don't have to change their lineup.
"I think with the attitude the kids have and us having everyone back, it's going to be a real good year for us," Williams said."
Those playing No. 1 through No. 6 for Christiansburg are junior Eric Legg, sophomore Chris McHose, sophomore Kemp Cunningham, junior Scott Habeeb, senior Wes Young and senior Jimmy Via.
The Demons' reserves even include a pair of returnees: sophomores Garrett Jones and Timmy Hall.
Newcomers for Christiansburg include freshman Greg Habeeb, Scott's brother, and junior Gary Stewart, a transfer from Giles High.
FLOYD COUNTY: Youth and balance will determine how the Buffaloes fare this season. Floyd County has no seniors and will have a sophomore and freshman among its top three players. And Floyd will have balance throughout its lineup.
"Numbers 7, 8, 9 and 10 are very close to coming in; they could make into the top six," said coach Gary Bobbitt. "And the balance at three through nine are very even. They all have about the same level of capabilities."
The Buffaloes also have strength at the top their lineup. Junior Gabe Vest will play No. 1; he was No. 3 last year.
Newcomers will boost Floyd's cause. Freshman Frankie Turpin and sophomore Evan Arno, a transfer from Florida, will play Nos. 2 and 3.
Among those who will be competing for the other spots in the lineup are juniors Matt Simmons and John Hawley and sophomores Matt Gallimore, James Boswell and Matthew Stiles. Right now, Simmons, Gallimore and Boswell are 4-5-6 respectively.
GILES: The Spartans lost eight players from last season's team and are facing a rebuilding job.
"I think it will be a rough year for us," said coach C.G. Thomas. "We lost three seniors and they played 1-2-3. That hurt us. We also lost one to grades, had two decide to go out for track and two transfer."
Giles does have some returnees. Sophomore Rusty Newby is the lone member of the top six back. He will occupy the top spot in the singles lineup after playing No. 5 last year.
Other returnees include juniors Steve Mertz and James Mann. They will play No. 2 and No. 3.
Rounding out the Spartans' lineup are juniors Wade Carbaugh and Jason Broillo and senior Wally Lindsey.
NARROWS: The Green Wave has two returnees from the top six. The remainder of its lineup also is experienced; they were reserves last year. That could make Narrows a strong challenger in the Mountain Empire.
"It's been very exciting; things are looking pretty good," said Wayne Brackenrich, who is coaching the team this season. "I think we'll be very competitive. From what I've learned and from watching the teams last year, we could be in the top two [in the district]."
Back in the lineup this season are seniors Mark Fleeman and Bruce Johnston. They will be Nos. 1 and 2 after playing second and third last year.
Places 3 through 6 in the Green Wave ladder will be filled by junior John Walkup, junior Scott Dalton, sophomore Chad Wheeler and senior Michael Clemons.
PULASKI COUNTY: Last year, the Cougars were one individual match away from reaching the Northwest Region tournament. This year, they expect to find a way to make up that match.
"We're looking for a pretty good season this year," said coach Ron Kanipe. "Hopefully, we can do well."
Pulaski lost three matches that went three sets and fell 5-4 to Patrick Henry. That determined the Roanoke Valley's second berth in the regionals last season.
But this year, it has one advantage over its top two rivals in the district. It returns its top two singles players in seniors Brian Hill and Hunter Eley. Neither Cave Spring (which brings back its Nos. 2 and 5) nor Patrick Henry (returning Nos. 2, 4 and 6) has its top player back.
Reserves from last year will play important roles. Senior Joel Sayers, junior Cory Byrd and sophomore John Harrell will move into the lineup. So will freshman Tim Hill, brother of No. 1 player Brian.
RADFORD: The Bobcats may be the biggest question mark in the New River. They could battle Blacksburg and Christiansburg for the title, or they may be trying to hold off Carroll County to stay out of last place.
"This is the most inexperienced team I've had in nine years," said coach Larry Mannon. "The uncertainty makes it a little tough."
One certainty for the Bobcats is No. 1 singles - where John David Semones returns for his senior season. He was the runner-up the New River tournament last year.
Also returning are junior Kole Ellertson and sophomore Matthew Long. They will play second and fourth on the ladder.
Playing No. 3 will be junior Paul Nester, a transfer student who has experience in local tennis tournaments.
by CNB