Neighbor News
Moraine Valley men's tennis using big off-season gains to fuel 2016 success
The Cyclone men's tennis team worked hard in the off-season to prepare for big wins and championships this season.
In an off-season comprised of hard work plus the acquisition of talented recruits, the 2016 Moraine Valley Community College men’s tennis team is looking stronger than last year and ready to do some damage on the courts.
Last season was all about growth and learning. Coach Robert Gates was new to heading this collegiate squad and had some new guys to work with. The team finished 5-4 overall with the #2 singles player, Mike Broderick, finishing runners-up in the NJCAA Region IV championship match. After playing his two years with the Cyclones, including at #1 singles last season, Kevin Karczynski will spend more time on the sidelines as a first-year assistant coach to Gates.
Reigh Lamparas (Reavis), Casey Case (Andrew) and Greg Illner (Colegio Santo Inacio) are back this season to lead the new bunch: Miguel Segovia (Eisenhower), Jesse Myles (Homewood-Flossmoor), Steven Leavy (Oak Forest), Aleksandar Lucic (Sandburg), Eric Smith (Sandburg), and Eddie Young (Oak Forest). Interchangeably, the top three players look to be Illner, Myles and Segovia with each bringing their own strength. Illner is more defense minded while Segovia plays more offensively. Myles is a neutral player.
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“We’re looking stronger than last year. We have a strong team. Other schools have recruited international students so it’ll be tough, but we have the chance to be on top,” Gates said. “We always pushed in practice. I’ve had them challenge each other and put them under pressure with different drills. I want them to be comfortable under pressure. Our goal is to be ready for regionals, for a championship.”
This group is a tighter unit, and they conditioned well in the off season to prepare for a relatively brief stretch of matches.
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“We’re much deeper this year. All the guys are solid at every spot. I’m comfortable subbing any of them. I know where to put them and where they’ll be successful,” Gates said. “We’re excited. We want to continue to be strong over the years and build on our gains. I have one year here under my belt to see what works and what doesn’t. I’m excited for our returnees and how the guys will do this season.”
Visit www.morainevalley.edu/athletics or follow the Cyclones on Facebook at morainevalleycyclones and Twitter @MVCyclones.
