The Dragon tennis team continues their winning streak, besting their opponents in seven of their last eight matches. They’re now 6-1 in league play, earning them the second place spot.
‘I couldn’t have really asked for the boys to do a better job than what they have. Last season, the team won one match and were at the bottom of the league in the Oakland Activities Association (OAA),? said Coach Eric Bracciano.
Sept. 1, the boys took on Harrison and won, 6-2. Adam Ilenich and Steve Nawrocki each took wins in singles play. Doubles teams dominated every game against Harrison in the match.
Teams included: Tyler Anderson and Chris Sulisz, Kyle McDonnell and Adam Solarczyk, Nick Ludwig and Eric Kaczor, and Tyler Lambretzke and Arthur Pawlowski.
Dragons took home another win when they played Stoney Greek, 5-4, Sept. 3. Bobby Michels, Ilenich and Nawrocki won in singles play. Doubles team Anderson and Sulisz also took a win.
Sept. 10, the team suffered their only loss so far with a match against Troy Athens, 6-2. Ilenich and Nawrocki both won in singles.
Dragons quickly returned to their winning streak with a game against Fenton.
The boys took an easy 8-1 win. Barry, Michels, Ilenich, Nawrocki and Corbin Hadley all won in singles. Doubles teams Sulisz and Anderson, McDonnell and Solarczyk, Ludwig and Kaczor, Kaj Singh and Lambretzke, and Tyler Jackson and Evan Powlite all beat out Fenton teams.
In their game against Rochester Sept. 15, Dragons won 7-1. Barry, Michels, Ilenich and Nawrocki earned more wins for the team in singles play.
Teams Solarczyk and McDonnell, Kaczor and Ludwig, and Singh and Pawlowski took wins in doubles play.
Lake Orion beat out Clarkston, 6-2 in their Sept. 17 match. Barry, Michels, Ilenich and Nawrocki swept in singles play. Doubles teams Anderson and Sulisz and, Ludwig and Kaczor also earn wins.
Sept. 23, Dragons took on Auburn Hills Avondale and won, 5-3. Barry, Michels, Ilenich and Nawrocki won in singles play. Singh and Pawlowski took the only win for the Dragons in doubles play.
Lake Orion took another 5-3 win, Sept. 25 against Farmington Hills. Singles players Barry, Michels, Ilenich and Nawrocki again took wins for the team. Doubles players Anderson and Sulisz also won.
Thursday, Oct. 1, the boys will head to the OAA tournament and are looking to take the league title.
‘I would say that we have achieved the majority of our goals up to this point,? said Bracciano. ‘We won the Clarkston tournament and the Romeo Apple Open tournament, and our team has a chance to win our league if we win the OAA tournament this Thursday.?
Bracciano says Nawrocki, who is undefeated, Ilenich, who’s only lost two matches, and captains Barry and Michels, have been ‘incredibly instrumental? in the team’s success.