Prep Boys Tennis Preview: Nighthawks, Broncos look to build on section titles
The Rancho Bernardo High and Del Norte boys tennis teams are coming off San Diego Section championship seasons and looking to repeat.
The Broncos lost a few key players, but the Nighthawks have everyone back and should compete for an Open Division crown.
Poway lost a couple of its key players from a season ago and figure to finish in the middle of the pack in the Palomar League.
Here is a closer look at the local teams:
Poway
Coach: Glenn Stephan, 4th year
Key players: Max Voorn, So.; Christopher Long, Jr.; Cliff Grant, Jr.; Garrett Johnson, Sr.; Nanami Kadota, Sr.; Nima Naraghi, So.; Connor Zabrocki, Jr.
Outlook: A few of Poway’s top players decided not to play this season, which has opened a few spots on the roster.
Those are being filled by up-and-comers, but it will likely be a few years before the Titans reap the benefits.
Boorn will play No. 1 singles and just behind him is Long and Grant. Johnson and Kadota anchor the doubles teams.
The Titans should be competitive in the always-tough Palomar League, but will likely finish in the middle of the pack.
Rancho Bernardo
Coach: Mike Parrinello, 18th year
Next match: Thursday vs. Torrey Pines at Rancho Bernardo, 3:15 p.m.
Key players: Allen Gao, Sr.; Erik Graber, Jr.; Brian Fu, Jr.; Sean Wheeler, Jr.; Shane Stoike, Jr.; Nik Steshilov, Fr.; Elyas Obbad, Fr.
Outlook: The Broncos captured their first San Diego Section Division I title since 2011, beating Torrey Pines in the sixth straight meeting between the two in the finals last season.
Rancho Bernardo lost top player Steven Chen to graduation and Aiku Shintani decided not to play this season.
But the Broncos are still one of the top teams in the sections. Gao is the team captain and incoming freshmen Steshilov and Obbad should have an immediate impact.
Expect Rancho Bernardo to be in a battle with Torrey Pines and Westview for the Palomar League title and maybe the Open Division crown.
Del Norte
Coach: Cherise Meoli, 6th year
Key players: Peter Trhac, Sr.; Patrik Thrac, So.; Peter Stratton, Fr.; Patrick Maguire, Fr.; Max Nesins, So.; Zongyi Li, Jr.; Andy Hu, So.; Seth Kim, So.; Nooah Bennett, Sr.
Outlook: Fresh off its first section title and with everyone returning, Del Norte looks to compete for the Open Division crown this year.
The Trhac brothers, Peter and Patrik, are the top singles players. Nesins and Li will anchor the doubles for the defending San Diego Section Division II champions.
“We will be in the Open Division this year,” Meoli said. “We are right up there near the top.”
Del Norte will make its debut in the Avocado East League and should have little trouble securing a title.