Boasting a large number of experienced players, the Paly boys’ tennis team is awaiting the arrival of league matches and a chance to prove that it is one of the best teams in the Central Coast Section.
Expectations are high as the core of the team that took second place in the Santa Clara Valley Athletic League’s De Anza division in 2008 returns for another season. Most notably are seniors Sam Wong and Dan Schwartz, who have been integral parts of the team since their arrival at Paly.
Their experience will anchor a veteran group that includes sophomore Baramee Wongbanchai, who spent time at the No. 1 singles position last year, and juniors Drew Pearson and Chase Cooper who made major contributions to the team as well. The experienced players combined with the addition of talented freshman Nicky Hu to the roster will give Paly a formidable lineup.
Head coach Andy Harader believes that the team has the depth and potential to do great things.
“We are strong all the way through our lineup from singles to doubles; it is really a group effort, everyone is key to our success,” Harader said. “The team is looking great in practice, really good — they could win Leagues and Central Coast Section, hopefully even NorCal.”
The optimism extends to the players who have high expectations for the upcoming season.
“We’re a good team this year, probably one of the top in CCS,” Wong said. “With six seniors and a lot of juniors, we have a lot of experience from past years.”
The range of the lineup from singles to doubles also looks to play a major role in the team’s success.
“The bottom half of our doubles lineup is really strong and we are solid throughout our roster,” Wong said.
Despite a disappointing second place finish in leagues and a quick exit in the CCS team tournament last year, the team has set high standards this season.
“We want to win the Central California Championship tournament and do well in CCS and NorCals,” Wong said.
Saratoga High School, the defending League champions, will be a major challenge to the Vikings if they look to bring back the League title. In CCS, Paly faces tremendous competition in the form of Menlo School and Bellarmine College Preparatory.
With a roster anchored by seniors and the addition of new talent, the team is eager to begin match play and an opportunity to send its seniors off with a championship.
The Vikings will face off against against Milpitas High School at 3:30 p.m on Feb. 25 at home in their first match of the season.