The Clarkston varsity boys tennis team didn’t waste any time going up against some stiff competition. While the end result wasn’t what coach Chas Clas was looking for, his team did gain some valuable experience.
The Wolves fell to Division I Rochester 7-1 April 2 at Rochester in the opening meet of the season. Clarkston had a meet set up with Auburn Hills Avondale earlier in the season, but it was cancelled due to weather. No make up date was available at press time.
It was a meet of debuts for the Wolves, as seven of 12 players made their first varsity experience and experience is exactly what Clas said his team needs.
‘Overall, I was pleased with how they did. I’m obviously not pleased that we lost, but I think the kids competed well. I was just happy to get them out on the court and see how they competed and I think they responded well,? Clas said.
The lone Wolf win belonged to the no. 4 doubles team of Erik Maesch and Zach McDonald, both of whom are new to the varsity team. Clas said his no. 3 doubles team of Chris Graczyk and Dan Osterhage also played extremely well and were very close to picking up the win.
The Wolves top two doubles teams of Paul Chun and Paul Gunckle along with the no. 2 team of Zak Banycky and Jesse Livezey remain a work in progress.
‘With the doubles teams, I believe it’s more the partnership than it is the talent. I’m still not sure how those teams will end up (forming),? he said.
Banycky said he, and his teammates dug themselves a hole.
‘We started out real slow. I think we were too indecisive. We got caught in the middle of the court too much,? he said. ‘I know I could’ve played a lot better than I did. I had a lot of unforced errors. I think he (Clas) was disappointed, but he could’ve been a lot more mad at us than he was. We could’ve played a lot better than we did,? Banycky said.
Meanwhile, no. 3 single player Chris Hammond impressed his coach. Clas said Hammond made a big step going from a no. 3 doubles player to single competition.
‘For his first single match, I think he played real well out there. He really hustled,? he said.
The Wolves are off until April 20 when they host Lake Orion at 4 p.m.