Not only did the top singles player on the boys tennis team have experience in the position prior to this season, he also still has the ability to play again next year. And again the year after that.

Sophomore Will Sauser returned for his second season as the top singles player. This season’s top doubles team, composed of sophomores David Zakhodin and Miguel Perez, played in the second spot last season.

Head Coach Jeff Jordan said that the sophomores’ previous experience on varsity has been an asset.

“After the first year, they kind of know the situation, they know what’s going to happen on the weekend tournaments. … They know the idea of conference, they understand the idea of sectionals and state,” said Jordan. “The sophomores are already ahead of the game in terms of knowing. There is a comfort level.”

The team placed sixth out of eight teams at the Liberty Bell Invitational in April, but won the Rockford Harlem Invitational later that month. Notable performances this season include losses to Stevenson and Lake Forest and wins over Glenbrook South and Libertyville. The team also finished second in conference.

“The Glenbrook South team we beat was the one that beat us in the qualifying round to state last year,” said Zakhodin. “We were both kind of nervous. … We both wanted to get that team back and we did.”

Jordan said that the bad weather brought the team together by forcing them to find a way to get court time, drive to the racquet club or condition and to learn to play in the snow.

“When you’re driving to Rockford for a tournament and it’s snowing … that kind of builds a bond between [the] guys who are going out there and playing in that,” said Jordan.

Jordan said the leadership displayed by senior captains Brian Eirinberg and Jordan Harris has been another key factor in the team’s atmosphere.

Eirinberg said his experience on varsity has helped him give the sophomores better advice about older opponents, and how to stay focused in general. He also said that he hoped to “amp up the level of intensity.”

“I’m talking to the team as a whole and giving them pre-game pump up speeches with [Harris],” said Eirinberg. “As captains, it’s our job to prepare everyone mentally and physically.”

While Jordan said the team began the season hoping to finish better in each competition, Eirinberg, Zakhodin and Perez were all aiming to place high at conference and qualify for state.

“[The weather] has kind of been the story of the season,” said Jordan. “When it rains do we quit? I would say that the entire team is definitely motivated in terms of getting better and making the season as good as it can be.”