After the 2020 season was wiped out because of the COVID-19 pandemic, local high school tennis returns in 2021 and Upper Valley athletes are just happy to get back out on the courts.
The long gap between seasons has left some programs in interesting positions. The Woodstock girls will aim to capture their fourth straight VPA Division II championship, but they’re faced with a lot of roster turnover from their 2019 championship team. Many squads are facing similar situations with heavy turnover and rosters filled primarily with newcomers.
The Hanover boys fell short in their championship game in 2019, and they graduated eight players from that team. But coach Jarrod Shaheen knows Hanover isn’t the only school that lost last spring to the pandemic and is dealing with the aftereffects, and he thinks his Marauders have the potential to pick up right where they left off.
Kate Godek begins her second year as Hartford’s boys and girls tennis head coach, the first on the court after last spring’s cancellation. Both teams are looking to rebound from not qualifying for the state tournament in 2019.
With COVID-19 precautions still in place, this season will look different than a normal season would. But after completely missing 2020, just playing matches and practicing as a team are momentous occasions not to be taken for granted.
Coach: Jarrod Shaheen (seventh year).
Last time: 15-2, lost in championship match to Bedford.
League: NHIAA Division I.
Returnees: Senior — Alex Stevens (capt.). Juniors — Kevin Pillsbury, Alex Rockmore, Evan Yang (capt.).
Newcomers: Juniors — Charlie Birkmeyer, Kirk Garner. Sophomore — Zhiwen Liu. Freshman — Zach Pearson.
■Analysis: “Our standout freshman (from 2019), Evan Yang, is returning at the top of the lineup, and his fellow returners have all stepped up their game, bringing the lessons from two years ago,” coach Jarron Shaheen said. “They are complemented very well by our newcomers, who are putting in the time and effort to play D-I tennis. If we can continue to stay strong at the top of the lineup and improve down the ladder, we will have a very fun and successful season.”
Coach: Kate Godek (2).
Last time: 0-6, did not qualify for state tournament.
Leagues: VPA Division I, Southern Vermont League.
Roster: Senior — Zachary Carter. Junior — Ezra Avery, Liam Clark, Ethan Michaels. Sophomore — Jacob Helms, Teddy LaFountain, Nicholas Tsouknakis.
Analysis: The Hurricanes, who get one returning starter back in Ethan Michaels, will resume the rebuilding progress that began with a limited schedule two years ago after a period of program dormancy.
“We are a young team with several newcomers,” new coach Kate Godek said. “Looking to have a good season.”
Coaches: Tammy and Chad Arado (1).
Last time: 7-8, lost in quarterfinals.
League: NHIAA Division II.
Roster: Seniors — Seamus Hickey, Tyler St. Martin, Karsten Hansen, Jacob Hibner, Kian Schifferdecker, Will Gross, Einstein Mutisya. Juniors — Mason Arado, Jory Ballard, Seth Carl. Sophomores — Finn Ericson, Baden Schifferdecker, Jonah Matzkin. Freshmen — Nolan Arado, Will Katz.
Analysis: Wife and husband Tammy and Chad Arado take over a Lebanon program that flourished under departed coach Mike Haxton, who guided the Raiders to D-II championships in 2016 and ‘17.
“We have a mixture of seasoned players and first-timers,” Tammy Arado said. “Season looks promising to compete well.”
Coach: Dave Miles (7).
Last time: 8-4, lost in first round.
Leagues: VPA Division I, Southern Vermont League.
Returnees: Seniors — Noah Anderson, Danny Drebber. Juniors — Cooper Dorsogna, Max Hambsch, Nixon Malik, Otto Nisimblat, Kip Gaddis, Nate Satterfield. Sophomore — Reece Sheehan.
Newcomers: Eighth grade — Sam Morris.
Analysis: “We have five players (Anderson, Malik, Drebber, Dorsogna, Hambsch) who have varsity experience from two years ago,” coach Dave Miles said. “Three have played some singles in the past. It’s very hard to say how we will do, but that’s going to be true for everybody this year. We have eager players who really enjoy the game and want to improve, and we are trying to help them do just that.”
Coach: Liz Murray (7).
Last time: 8-7, lost in quarters.
League: NHIAA Division I
Returnees: Seniors — Carly Miles, Lyric Wilson. Junior — Eleanor van Aalst.
Newcomers: Junior — Natalie Feyrer. Sophomores — Mackenzie Liu, Noura St. Hilaire, Emilia Torresani, Jaclyn Hazen, Joy Garner, Avyn Lee, Katherine Goodrum. Freshman — Shayna Rockmore.
Analysis: “We are a young and newer team with only three returners, but we have a solid lineup and good doubles teams to round us out,” coach Liz Murray said. “Looking forward to a season with a lot of growth.”
Coach: Kate Godek (2).
Last time: 1-7, missed state tournament.
Leagues: VPA Division II, Southern Vermont League.
Roster: Senior — Nykrisha Jenks. Junior — Sara White. Sophomores — Maggie Dumont, Silvia Hale, Bebhinn Knudsen, Anthem Philip, Cecilia Wending. Freshmen — Toni Harper-Ebbs, Arianna Heijin.
Analysis: “We are a young team with several new players that is looking to play hard this season,” Godek said.
■Coaches: Rob Johnstone and Rick Hines (4).
■Last time: 7-8, lost in quarters.
■Division: NHIAA Division II.
Returnees: Seniors — Kaeley Skakalski, Jill Anderson. Junior — Crisi Patel.
Newcomers: Seniors — Sally Rainey, Keira Hines. Sophomores — Ella Gessner, Aesha Soni. Freshman — Adaa Karanwal.
Analysis: Hines will battle Skakalski (No. 3 in 2019) for the No. 1 singles spot. Karanwal currently stands at No. 3 in the team ladder. Soni, Gessner and Rainey — the UNH-bound all-state soccer goaleeper — all have shown well.
“Not a great deal of match experience, but a group of positive, hard-working, fast-learning players,” co-coach Rob Johnstone noted. “The depth from 1-8 is solid.”
Coach: Tom Hopewell (23).
Last time: 14-0, beat U-32 for third straight state crown.
Leagues: VPA Division II, Southern Vermont League.
Roster: Seniors — Ava Dodson (capt.), Taylor Compton (capt.). Juniors — Meridian Joy-Piper, Kendall Taylor. Freshmen — Charlotte Nunan, Sophia Nisimblat, Chloe Masillo, Tess Belisle, Hannah Watson.
Outlook: “This is a new outlook for me; I haven’t had a player on court until last week, and I’m very pleased with the group as a whole,” said coach Tom Hopewell, whose program has gone 39-1 over its three-year championship reign. “I’m three years retired from teaching tennis as a profession, so it’s great to be back in teaching mode and coaching as well. This team has big shoes to fill from the last class to play. … They are all great young women, solid athletes and eager to learn and play tennis for Woodstock.”
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Editor’s note: Stevens High didn’t return girls tennis preview information.