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Boys tennis preview

By DAWN REISS
Published March 2, 2006

COACH: Alice Christian, second year.

KEY RETURNEES: Charlie Hendrick, Sr., No. 1; Lars Fabricius-Olsen, So., No. 2; Kris Blasel, Jr., No. 4; Kyle Klauder, Sr., No. 5.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Brad Davies, Sr., No. 3; Aaron Holzaepfel, Fr., No. 5.

KEY LOSS: Igor Babol, No. 2.

THE SCOOP: It's a veteran team that returns to Citrus, led by Hendrick, a four-year letterwinner who Christian said "is consistent and plays with a level head." Davies, a 6-month newcomer to the sport, has quickly elevated himself as a "natural athlete." Fabricius-Olsen uses trick serves with lots of spin and his quickness on the court. Christian said his long legs and ability to slice make him dangerous. Blasel's specialty is down the line shots while Klauder and Holzaepfel have challenged each other for the remaining spot.

CRYSTAL RIVER

COACH: Vicki Browning.

KEY RETURNEES: Brian deMontfort, Jr., No. 1; Josh Noland, So., No. 2;, Jake Noland, So., No. 4.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Mike Sanchez, Jr., No. 3; J.D. Talley, Sr., No. 5.

KEY LOSS: Chris Lavoie, No. 1.

THE SCOOP: deMontfort has played No. 2 for the past two seasons. Both years, he teamed with Lavoie to reached the state tournament, including the semifinals last year. "Brian has a complete game," Browning said. "He serves extremely well. His ground strokes are excellent, volleys are superb." The middle of the lineup is closely matched with Josh Noland moving from No. 5 to No. 2 after becoming more consistent. His twin brother, Jake, is paired with deMontfort at No. 1 doubles. Neither Sanchez nor Talley played tennis last year. Sanchez went through part of tryouts but did not finish because of the flu. Talley played baseball. LECANTO

COACH: Jack Hall, second year.

KEY RETURNEES: Matt Trinagli, Sr., No. 1/2; Ryn Dunn, Sr., No. 3; Eric Fields, Sr., No. 4.

KEY NEWCOMERS: Tommy Saltsman, Fr., No. 1/2; Yogesh Gandhi, Fr., No. 5.

KEY LOSSES: Cyprian Rodriguez, No. 1; Ravi Parikh, No. 2; Phillip Saltsman, No. 4; Josh Kruhm, No. 5.

THE SCOOP: Lecanto won the district title last year before losing 5-2 to Orange Park Fleming Island. But Rodriguez and Parikh graduated. Phillip Saltsman opted to focus on golf, and Kruhm moved to Georgia. Tommy Saltsman is challenging Trinagli, who played No. 3 last year, for the top spot. Both are fast, although Trinagli is a harder hitter who Hall said "never gives up and chases down every possible ball to the point of crashing into the fence." Hall said Dunn "finds a way to hit the ball back." Gandhi is a solid baseline player.

[Last modified March 2, 2006, 01:32:18]