BOYS TENNIS PREVIEW
THREE THINGS TO WATCH
EXPECT A REMATCH? Milwaukee Marquette defeated Brookfield East in the state semifinals last year and the Hilltoppers went on to claim their 10th WIAA championship. This year the teams would meet in the state final the way the bracket is set up, and it would not be a surprise to see it happen. East, which beat Marquette in the semifinals en route to the 2014 state title, and the Hilltoppers each have to replace just four players.
USM ALSO A FAVORITE: University School has won 10 of the last 12 Division 2 titles, including three straight, and graduated just two seniors from the team that beat Madison Edgewood, 7-0, in the final last season. The Wildcats feature reigning state singles champion Kai Sane, and Zach Schneck also is back after winning state doubles with then-senior Andrew Buchanan.
INAUGURAL WHSTCA TOURNAMENT: The first Wisconsin High School Tennis Coaches Association Classic will be hosted by Brookfield Central on May 20 and 21 and will be held at the school and various parks in the city. Subsectionals begin two days later, so this will be the final tune-up for the postseason. “It’s a great tournament to be exposed to the best competition in the state leading up to sectionals and state play,” Marquette coach David Frank said.
PLAYERS TO WATCH Division 1
David Horneffer, sr., Brookfield East: He has two state runner-up finishes and a 51-3 record over the last two seasons. Horneffer is also the reigning Greater Metro Conference champ at No. 1 singles.
Robert Krill, jr., Brookfield East:
This Spartan placed fourth at state last year after taking fifth as a freshman, and also claimed the No. 2 singles crown in the league tournament.
Nick Kallman, sr., Milwaukee Marquette: He teamed with thensenior Kyran Young to win state doubles last year with a 16-2 mark.
Patrick Krill, sr., Brookfield East:
For the last three years, Krill was with doubles partner Henry Termuehlen, but he graduated after they took second at state last season (and first in 2014).
Caleb Schifano, jr., Marquette:
This Hilltopper finished fifth at state doubles last year with then-senior David Sinense. Their record was 17-1.
John Massart, jr., Marquette: He was seeded eighth in the state tournament but ended up sixth as a sophomore last year.
Jack Steinberger, sr., Nicolet: Then-senior Brett Conard and Steinberger lost in the quarterfinals of state doubles last season. Division 2
Kai Sane, jr., University School: He won state last season with a 25-7 mark after ending as runner-up as a freshman.
Juan Perez, jr., Racine Prairie: Perez lost to Sane in the state final when he had to retire because of leg cramps. He was third as a freshman.
Zach Schneck, sr., University School: He has to replace his doubles partner, Andrew Buchanan, after winning state last year. They were sixth in 2014.
Tommy Matoska, sr., Catholic Memorial: Matoska’s partner, Christian Erickson, also graduated after they finished as state runner-up last season.
Jack Collison, sr., University School: Despite being seeded eighth, Collison wound up fifth at state last season at 18-5.
Adil Bhatia, sr., and Bryan Geenan, sr., Brookfield Academy: The two were unseeded when they finished fourth at state last year.
Michael Rajchel, sr., and Jason Tan, jr., Brookfield Academy: They took sixth at state last season after being seeded fourth.
EARLY EVENTS TO WATCH
University School Invitational, 8 a.m. April 9: Several top Division 2 teams will compete, including the Wildcats, Brookfield Academy, Madison Edgewood, Green Bay Notre Dame and Racine Prairie. Arrowhead also will participate.
Brookfield East Tournament, 8 a.m. April 16: The host Spartans welcome both reigning state champions in Milwaukee Marquette (Division 1) and University School (Division 2), as well as Division 2 runner-up Edgewood.
Marquette at Brookfield East, 4 p.m. April 21: After each team eliminated the other in the last two state tournaments, they meet again for a key Greater Metro Conference battle.
Nicolet Invitational, 8:30 a.m. May 7: Joining the Knights will be Marquette, University School, Arrowhead, Brookfield Central, Homestead, Kenosha Tremper, Oconomowoc, Waukesha South, Whitefish Bay and several non-area schools.