Cyclones tennis team gunning for more success in 2013

There hasn’t been a shortage of success for the men’s tennis team at Moraine Valley. The 2013 season looks to continue that trend.

The mostly new crew has a tough act to follow. Last year the Cyclones were undefeated, winning both the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference and NJCAA Region IV championships and placing 24th at the NJCAA Tournament. Although All-Region players Josh and Nate Leininger, Josh Rodig, Dale Van Witzenberg and All-Conference player Mike Giordano are gone, All-Conference player Kevin Davenport (Lincoln-Way Central) and sophomore Juan De La Parra (Colombia) return to lead another strong bunch. Both veterans are expected to be in the lineup after putting forth extra work in the offseason.

The number one singles player position is slated for David Smith (Lincoln-Way East), a transfer who competed one year at St. Ambrose University. Freshman Brad Smith (Sandburg), no relation to David, will take second singles after playing doubles almost exclusively in high school. De La Parra and newcomer Tim Stewart (Stagg) will battle for the third and fourth singles spot. Both have a lot of speed and are the fastest on the team. Ryan Adamski (Tinley Park), Christian Lagunas (Eisenhower) and Jair Gutierrez Gomez (Plainfield Central) round out the Cyclones lineup. First doubles will be the Smiths, Davenport and Stewart will play second and De La Parra and Adamski have third doubles this season.

The Cyclones will face not only tough teams in their conference, but a couple of new colleges not typically in their schedule, including Seward Community College and Grand Rapids Community College.

“I’m excited about the strength of this team. We have a tough schedule, but I’m optimistic because we have better overall players in every spot. There’s more talent right now that will only grow during the season,” said coach Bill Finn, who has led the Cyclones since 2005. “We’ll compete for the Skyway and for a spot to go to nationals. But who knows what will happen? Anything can happen in a match.”

Joining Finn this season are assistant coaches John Kumis and Nicole Selvaggio, who played on the Cyclones women’s team the last two years.