Eric Bracciano, fourth-year coach of the Lake Orion boys tennis team, has high expectations for this year, given the sheer number of athletes at tryouts.
A total of 33 players came out for high school tennis – a large number according to Bracciano ? with 16 on varsity and the rest on the J.V. team. With 11 returning varsity players, the coach hopes to improve on last year’s 5-7 record.
‘We’re looking pretty good right now and I think we’ll do quite well,? Bracciano said. ‘We had a lot of new guys last year but, now that they have at least a year under their belts at the varsity level, I expect things will be pretty good this year.?
Bracciano expects big things from senior Nick Ludwig, the No. 1 singles player and team captain. ‘Ludwig leads the other guys by example,? he said. ‘That’s the best way to put it. He encourages the younger players and helps keep them in-check, but does it with a positive attitude.?
He also noted senior Eric Kazcor and his brother Ryan, a junior, are ‘looking great?, plus senior Brendon McDonald. Overall, the coach said, everyone is in shape, working well together and wants to compete hard.
‘Everyone seems ready to win for Lake Orion,? Bracciano said.
The coach is keeping a close eye on league rivals Troy Athens, Clarkston and Bloomfield Hills Lahser, since they ‘tend to have traditionally good programs? and a large pool of talent to draw on each year.
Bracciano also said he appreciates the new tennis courts prepared this summer, the growing interest in the team amongst the community and parent support.
The tennis team opened its season earlier this week, at the Clarkston Varsity Invitational.