Last year was anything but easy for the Lake Orion boys? tennis squad.
But an off-season of dedication has the team back on the right path, and they’re just a few lucky breaks from being at the top of the OAA II standings.
Case in point: The Dragons lost two league contests by the slimmest of margins last week, 5-4 losses to Athens and Clarkston, to fall to 2-3 in the OAA II.
‘We’re right on the cusp,? Coach Lance Davis said. ‘It used to be a mountain and now it’s just a hump.?
Evan Wharton had a come-from-behind victory over Clarkston’s Erik Ejups at #1 singles (1-6, 6-4, 6-1) to improve to 4-1 in league action.
‘His hard work in the summer time has really paid off,? Davis said.
Wharton isn’t the only Dragon looking at a high seed in the upcoming league tournament. Tyler Barry (#4 singles, 4-1), Mike Westcott and Stephen Nawrocki (#2 doubles, 5-0) and Cody Stauber and Brandon Klos (#4 doubles, 4-1) have looked strong, too.
‘The guys are competing and expecting to win,? Davis said. ‘And that’s fun.?
Davis said an injury to Barry earlier last week limited the sophomore, who fell in three sets to Clarkston’s Garrett Knappe, in a key match.
The Dragons got their other victories versus Clarkston from #1 doubles (Adam Ilenich and Chris Sulisz), #2 doubles and #4 doubles.
Calvin Walker was a winner against Athens earlier in the week at #3 singles as well.
The league tournament is Saturday, Oct. 6 and Davis said his team should make some noise.
‘We’re still trying to iron out some kinks,? he said. ‘Rome wasn’t built overnight.?