Boys’ tennis at Sussex Academy excited for season
With fresh, new courts to attract players, the Sussex Academy boys’ tennis program had a record number of students try out for the team in 2024.
“We were able to put together a team of really strong players,” said new coach Lesley Eichten. “We’ve had a coaching transition this year, so it’s an opportunity for us to mix things up and, hopefully, we’re going to come out and have a great season. We were a young team last year and our boys took some lumps, but they’ve practiced really hard in the off-season and they’re motivated to get some wins.”
Last year marked the first year the team dipped below the .500 mark since its inaugural 2018 season. Going 0-11, the team comprised mostly eighth-graders and freshmen who are now freshmen and sophomores with valuable varsity experience.
Leading the way, as he did his eighth-grade year, will be freshman JP Eichten. He’ll be followed in the singles matches by newcomer David Wanalista and junior Matthew Perchiniak as second and third singles, respectively. David’s brother is eighth-grader Cole Wanalista; he’ll pair with Kieran Probert for the first doubles matches. Junior James VanPelt and sophomore Logan Mattie partner up for second doubles.
David, a senior, is playing varsity tennis for the first time in his high school career. Eichten believes new additions like the Wanalista brothers are a positive for the program.
“I think we’re going to make the 2024 season a great one because we have a nice growing team of really good players who want more,” Eichten said.
The freshman is confident in his abilities to compete in first singles and thinks the three singles players will benefit from playing one another. He’s most looking forward to playing a better match this year than he did last year against Cape. One of his top priorities is making sure his teammates commit themselves.
“We’ll be working on teamwork and dedication to the sport, making sure everyone’s getting better,” Eichten said.
Probert believes the team is on its way up as well.
“We've got a really good chance of doing something good here because we have a lot of guys who came out, and we have some real good potential on the team this year,” Probert said. “Compared to last year, it’s been great.”
The Seahawks open their season battling the Mallards of Worcester Prep at 4 p.m., Friday, March 22, in Berlin, Md.
