Fenwick tennis’s 0-6 record at the IHSA State Tennis Tournament last season that sent the Friars home after the first round hasn’t lingered on the mind of Gerard Sullivan. The veteran head coach considers the slate clean this season as his squad implores a new and simple approach to its 2008 campaign: Take one match at a time.
“We lost to some really good players last year in some really good matches,” said Sullivan. “It was nothing to be disappointed about. This season we’re going to be looking to take care of business during the regular season, and see where that leads us. If we can do some damage at the Catholic League Tournament, then we can set some additional goal from there. It’s simply a matter of putting in the work now, see what goals are realistic, and then we’ll go from there.”
Sullivan has two players back with state inexperience in Ed Crane and Mike Pill. Crane, who paired with Pill last season and qualified for state, is expected to remain playing doubles. Pill, according to Sullivan, will try his hand at singles.
Newcomer to varsity Tyler Keifer is likely to pair up with Crane at No. 1 doubles.
“Tyler is one of several players who can fill that role,” said Sullivan of Keifer, who went undefeated on the frosh-soph team last year. “He syncs really well with Eddie’s play.”
Brian Janda, Mike Maienza, Dominic Campanga and Matt Hipfkind are likely to fill the other doubles positions.
Sullivan said he was pleased with the progress of senior David Elias, who has shored up a spot in singles action.
“David has fended off all the challenges that have come at him in practices, so he should be a solid player at No. 3 singles,” said Sullivan. “He’s been real consistent in his play and has made great strides.”
Two other candidates for singles play include Paul Fitzgerald and Ilya Stambolic.
The Friars will look to improve on last year’s fourth-place finish in the Catholic League. Loyola and St. Ignatius likely stand in their way, but Sullivan is hopeful this season’s team can keep the rest of the pack at bay.
“I’d certainly like to think we have a shot at finishing in the Top 3,” he said. “It’s a difficult league, but when you consider what lies ahead with sectionals and state, then we should be up for the challenge. It’s a very motivated and committed team and hopefully that can lead us when the time comes.”
Fenwick finished third at the Rudy Witsman Invitational hosted by Oak Park on Saturday. Pill grabbed a win at No. 1 singles, outplaying Loyola’s Jack Halpin. Pill eventually finished fourth. In No. 1 doubles action, Crane and Kiefer finished fourth overall.
The Friars host Brother Rice on Thursday (4 p.m.), before traveling to Rolling Meadows for a tournament on Saturday (8 a.m.).