Boys' tennis season preview: Pine Creek all the talk

Area tennis coaches can’t say enough about this team on the rise:

“They’re coming up big time and will be really tough,” Doherty coach Dave Grantz said.

“That team should vie for top five in the state,” Air Academy coach Ron Gorr said.

Who are they talking about? Not who you think. Pine Creek coach Dave Lehman has built a boys’ team capable of big things in 5A.

With returning state qualifiers Andrew Pack and McKay Inman joined by Stephen Mullenex, a Rampart transfer who reached the state tournament twice, the Eagles boast unprecedented singles depth. And Lehman hopes to have his team hit its stride in time for October’s regional and state tournaments.

“Starting out will be slow,” said Lehman, who also led the Pine Creek girls’ team to a resurgence with top-five finishes at state the past four years. “With the transfer, Stephen is ineligible for the first half of the season, and I’ve got another player (junior Derek Jones) with a broken hand. But it’s neat to have the quality of players we have.”

One team accustomed to big things at the 4A state tournament is Cheyenne Mountain. The Indians, second to Kent Denver last year, return four letter winners, including Jon Moore, the defending champion at No. 2 singles.

The Indians aren’t the only talented area 4A team. Lewis-Palmer is bolstered by the return of Australian Aiden Reid and the addition of Palmer Ridge transfer Naveed Ghasem to go with state qualifier Duy Pham.

TEAM CAPSULES

CLASS 5A

Air Academy — The defending region champs graduated five but still have plenty of depth and talent, led by senior Ben Swain at No. 1 singles, senior Brandon Kuzara, junior Alex Kent and sophomore Stuart White.

Coronado — Nine lettermen return, including the No. 1 doubles team of seniors Michael Claus and Mark Smith and senior Tyler Follon at No. 2 singles. Manitou Springs transfer Hayden Cramer is expected be a top contributor in singles play.

Doherty — The Spartans are loaded with eight seniors, including state-qualifier Rob Wilson at No. 1 singles and Brandon Dale and Trip Dugas at No. 2 doubles.

Fountain-Fort Carson — Junior Allan Cameron, who primarily played doubles last year, is expected to take the lead spot in singles.

Liberty — Experience will be a strength this year with eight returning lettermen, including seniors Tyler Kane, Michael Butler, Adam Lamay and Brian Albaugh.

Palmer — Six lettermen return, including seniors Alex Cipoletti and Cody Kessel.

Pine Creek — Returning state qualifiers Andrew Pack, a regional champion, and McKay Inman are joined by Rampart transfer and senior Stephen Mullenex, who has reached state twice, creating a strong singles ladder.

Rampart — Sophomore Travis Kimsey moves into the No. 1 singles spot.

Sand Creek — Seven lettermen return, including seniors Jacob Lux, Eric Hamilton and Matt Swanson.

CLASS 4A

Cañon City — Five lettermen return for new coach Joe Lozano. Juniors Peter Chell, Derek Thulson and Mike Enderle add experience, with sophomores Jacob Crittage and Cody Meins adding depth.

Cheyenne Mountain — The Indians lost seven seniors from their state runner-up season but  return four experienced lettermen and state qualifiers, including Jon Moore, the state champion at No. 2 singles, senior Parker Curry and juniors Matt Bowser and Chris Stuller.

Colorado Springs Christian School/The Vanguard School — The consolidated team begins its second season with most everyone back, including CSCS sophomores Seth Topper and Travis VanDerVeer and Coursers junior Edward Prentice.

Colorado Springs School — Returning seniors Josh Smith and Nate Whiteside at singles, along with the tandem of senior Chris Dailey and sophomore Jackson Pinney at doubles, lead an experienced squad.

Discovery Canyon — Coach Mike Humphrey lost his top two players from last year’s team and will field an inexperienced squad.

Fountain Valley — The Danes return six lettermen, five of whom advanced to the state tournament. Seniors Thomas Sickert and Andy Chou pace the singles attack, while senior Gregor Wangerin, junior David Chen and sophomore Taylor Reid thrive in doubles play.

Lewis-Palmer — Last year’s regional runner-up gets a boost from Aiden Reid, an Australian who played for the Rangers in 2007, and returning state qualifier Duy Pham, a junior, to go with senior Brian Kraus and Palmer Ridge transfer Naveed Ghasem.

Mesa Ridge — Six sophomores are among the seven returning lettermen. Senior Corey Patz leads the bunch, with big things expected from sophomores Tyler Oster, Paul Martin, Brandon Patz and Dalton Frizzell.

Mitchell — Senior Daniel Trouwborst leads an underclassman-dominated team. Sophomores Steven Applin andIsaac Ricks lead the youth movement.

Palmer Ridge — The team did well in its 2008 debut. Eight lettermen are back, including junior Kyle Corkey and Alex Nissen, who reached the state tournament at No. 1 doubles.

Wasson —  The Thunderbirds field a team for the first time since 2006. Coach Erick Morr already sees big things ahead for junior Zach Gillham.

Widefield — Depth is a strength for this year’s Gladiators, highlighted by senior Michael Aragon, who moves into the No. 1 singles spot, and juniors Cody Martin and Stephen Kynor, who also return to play singles.