Hard work and positive energy is usually the key to a winning team. But for this year’s boys varsity tennis team, the hard work has not translated to success on the courts.
“This season is unique for Seaholm tennis because mainly, we’re in a rebuilding year,” said junior captain and No. 1 singles player Josh Schechter. “The team lost eight seniors plus Kristopik off last year’s varsity team and we now have only three seniors.”
Head coach Jim Slaughter agreed.
“It has been a tough season and we are a very young team,” Slaughter said. “We lost eight players from last season.”
The three seniors this season are captain Tommy Fink, Matt Wilkinson, and Mikael Nefcy.
Seaholm, 1-5, started off the season with a thrilling win against Lasher. Tied 4-4, No. 5 doubles, N
efcy, and junior Aaron Rosen had the game winning match.
The first set started off slow for the two. With a few long volleys and returns, Nefcy and Rosen managed to win the set 7-5.
Throughout the second set, Nefcy and Rosen kept their composure. The last point went back and forth between deuce, but in the end, Rosen had a nice return and Nefcy put it away at the net for a 6-4 victory.
“It felt not only good to win the match for ourselves, but also to help win it for the team overall, which is a great feeling,” said Nefcy.
The next five matches did not end with the same thrilling result. The Maples lost to Groves (7-2), North Farmington (7-1), Rochester Adams (6-3), West Bloomfield (7-2), and Troy (7-2).
Despite the team’s losses, Schechter’s attitude remains positive.
“We’ve had some rough patches in the beginning of the season but the team is definitely improving thanks to our fine coaching,” said Schechter.
In the past month, Seaholm has played in two tournaments. The Maples had a good showing in both, placing 2nd in the Traverse City Central Tournament and 3rd in the Holly Invitational.
“We are really excited about how the team is looking right now and our team goal is to make it to the second day of the state tournament,” said Wilkinson, a No. 2 doubles player.
Looking into the future the team has high hopes for the rest of the season.
“I really want to see all of our players be playing their best tennis and hopefully that results in us making the state tournament,” said Fink.
“Scores don’t reflect the effort they put into the season,” said Slaughter. “My hope is to finish the season with the same positive energy as we did at the start of the season.”
The team lost No. 1 doubles player, sophomore Mack Drummond, to bruised spinal cord.
“He is a funny, funny man,” said Fink. “He brings a sense of funniness to practice and games. He is a great player. Mack will be missed and I hope he has a safe and full recovery.”
