Boys tennis: Team tournament first-round preview

After a fast and furious regular season of boys tennis, the postseason has arrived with plenty of intrigue and excitement surrounding the new team state tournament. The committee selected the best 16 schools from each classification to compete in a single-elimination, dual-style format in order to crown the new team state champion.

The first round in each classification begins this Wednesday, and there are plenty of exciting opening matchups on tap to kick things off.

Class 5A

(1) Cherry Creek vs. (16) Heritage

The Bruins begin their quest for a 45th boys state title by taking on the Eagles from Heritage. With returning No. 1 singles champion Aram Izmirian leading a deep and talented squad, it’s hard to imagine anyone threatening this team until at least the semifinals. But Heritage is going to give it their best shot with some talented freshmen Will Moses and James Long playing Nos. 1 and 2 singles. But with more seniors like Kiril Kostadinov and Jack Eikelberner at the top of the lineup, Cherry Creek once again remains the heavy favorite.

(8) Grandview vs. (9) Monarch

The Wolves maybe have their best team led by the first-year senior Eduard Tsaturyan from Russia. He is a favorite to win the No. 1 singles 5A individual title, but the rest of the team is stacked as well with young singles players Blake Hardin and Justin Son at Nos. 2 and 3 singles along with plenty of seniors throughout the doubles positions. But the Coyotes from Monarch have some excellent singles players as well, as Luke Jensen and Callum Conaghan have put together great senior seasons. Both teams are looking for their best finish at state in their respective programs’ histories.

(4) Fossil Ridge vs. (13) Rock Canyon

Plenty of credit needs to be given to the Sabercats from Fossil Ridge, as their team lost so many seniors from last year’s team, including their top three singles players. But here they are yet again, earning another top-four seed going into state as sophomore Tyler Van Tassell is the young head of another senior-laden team. The Jaguars from Rock Canyon survived the slugfest that was the Continental League and will hope that seniors Michal New, Nicholas Pita and Ian Gruczcynski can pull of the upset over the best of Fort Collins.

(5) Arapahoe vs. (12) Rocky Mountain

The Warriors of Arapahoe are in the midst of perhaps their best season with a deep doubles lineup, and have senior leaders Tyler Rock and Jack Winslow at one and three singles and excellent No. 1 singles freshman Cale Brush at the top. But they face a tough task in the Lobos of Rocky Mountain who had their own senior singles standouts Bridger Galyardt and Braden Peterson looking to take down the Centennial League runner ups. Also keep an eye out for No. 2 doubles players Levi Teck and Drake Solley from Rocky Mountain, as their only loss this season was a close one to fourth-seed Fossil Ridge.

(2) Valor Christian vs. (15) Fort Collins

The Eagles claimed the second overall seed after finishing in second place last season at state, and they still have perhaps the best chance to dethrone defending champion Cherry Creek. Christian Trevey has been one of the best No. 1 singles players in the state this year, and freshman Jace Nakamura has been an excellent No. 2 singles as well. Throw in perhaps the favorites at No. 1 doubles – Graham Beukelman and Drew Schell – and this could be Valor’s best chance to claim its first state title. Fort Collins is the team standing in their way first, as the Lambkins are the third team to make it from their home city, showing how deep the tennis is up north. It will up to the depth of the Lambkins’ doubles teams to try and stun Valor.

(7) Denver East vs. (10) Fairview

A rematch of an earlier season battle that went the Angels’ way, 4-3, this might be the most entertaining 5A first-round matchup. These are two programs with great histories that have experienced recent success, and Trevor Hajek and Caden Bell’s No. 1 singles battle highlights what looks to be a very tight matchup. No. 3 singles is also a strength for both teams with junior Noah Bodner and senior Lucas Krambeck both having stellar seasons. It will most likely end up coming down to the doubles pairs, as all four matches were tight the first time around and Fairview sophomores Jake Boston and Charlie Gomulka could be the difference-makers as they have been the Knights’ most consistent line all season.

(3) Regis Jesuit vs. (14) Boulder

While these aren’t the old Raiders of the past featuring standouts Morgan Schilling and Conor Kaczmarczyk, Regis is still plenty talented with strong depth across the board. Freshman Clay Dickey leads a team that still has a punchers chance to upset Valor and Creek, but the Raiders first must get past the Panthers of Boulder, who played them tight earlier in the season in a 2-5 loss. A team filled with seniors is always dangerous, and the No. 1 doubles team of Chase Lewis and Andre Parham in particular might pose the biggest threat.

(6) Ralston Valley vs. (11) Mountain Vista

Our last 5A matchup features the Mustangs of RV in the midst of one of their best seasons in program history as well. Junior Calder Hardin at No. 2 singles has been great so far this season, plus the No. 2 doubles team of Coby Elola and Evan Dozon look like a real contender for an individual state title at their ladder position. The Golden Eagles will answer with some good doubles depth down the lineup, plus their own No. 2 singles standout Sampreet Bheemireddy in what should be the best individual matchup of this solid first-round dual.

Class 4A

(1) Kent Denver vs. (16) University

In 4A, the Sun Devils from Kent Denver will be the heavy favorites to capture their 12th state championship as they have rolled every school so far, and even almost bested the titans of 5A powerhouse Cherry Creek. Led by No. 1 singles standout Nathan Gold, as well as a group of brothers in the Haymons and the Morgans, this team looks primed to cruise through the title match in its classification. University will be the first team in the Sun Devils’ path, as the Bulldogs have put together a fine season but will have a tall task ahead of them on Wednesday.

(8) Niwot vs. (9) Grand Junction

This might be the best first-round matchup in 4A, as the Niwot Cougars have a great one-two punch at the top of their lineup that features No. 1 singles semifinalist Luke Weber and defending No. 2 singles champion LiChen Liao. Throw in the fantastic young No. 1 doubles pairing of Oskar Hansen and Sebastian Moy, and this is a team with the talent to upset anyone. But they have a difficult opponent coming out from Grand Junction, as the Tigers have crushed their schedule with their only blemish being 5A juggernaut Regis Jesuit. Even then, they pushed the Raiders in multiple lines and have deep doubles teams, so this has the makings of an extremely tight contest.

(4) Colorado Academy vs. (13) Thomas Jefferson

The Mustangs of CA have bounced back in a big way in 2022, as they have maybe their best lineup since their 2018 championship squad. With only a few seniors, they should also be around for a while, especially the No. 1 doubles team of Charlie May and Michael McKee, plus the No. 2 doubles pairing of Luca Siringo and Rowan Brown being the strengths of this team. The TJ Spartans will have to rely on their own No. 1 doubles senior standouts Alex Lee and Owen Robert if they want to be able to pull off the upset.

(5) Mullen vs. (12) Peak to Peak

Speaking of Mustangs, Mullen is another team that is having a bounceback year as the team has plenty of depth and seniors throughout. Senior Jack Barker leads a team that has plenty of potential to make a deep run in the new state tournament, assuming they can get past the Pumas of Peak to Peak. The singles players are the strength for the pride of Lafayette, as sophomores Derek Toth, Ben Swartz and Dhruv Shajikumar will have to play their best tennis to take down the No. 5-seed favorites.

(2) Cheyenne Mountain vs. (15) Thompson Valley

The Red Tailed Hawks shared the title with Kent Denver last year, but with the new team format in place, a tie is no longer possible at the top. But Cheyenne is always one of the deepest teams in the state with an excellent doubles group lead by seniors Hank Walsh and Matt Peterson. The Colorado Springs powerhouse is trying to join Creek as the only teams to win 20 state titles, but to do it this year they must start off by taking down the Eagles of Thompson Valley. TV still boasts a tough lineup with No. 2 singles player Mason Ramirez offering the best chance for the team from Loveland to steal some wins down in the Springs.

(7) D’Evelyn vs. (10) Coronado

The Jaguars of D’Evelyn are coming off their best season in program history, but junior No. 1 singles state runner up Aswaanth Karuppasamy is leading a team hungry for more success. The Jags are plenty tested this year facing the best 4A and 5A has to offer, and No. 3 singles player Xalen Mitchell and the No. 2 doubles team of Mateo Zimmer and Elias are the other standout lines. They will be tested by another strong team from the Springs in Coronado, a program in the middle of their most successful run as well. Led by junior standouts Miles Hoover at No. 1 singles and Thomas Stewart at No. 2 singles, the Cougars will look to see if they can upset the Jags.

(3) Denver South vs. (14) Dawson

The Ravens of South have had an amazing season, playing a tough schedule and finding tons of success over their 4A rivals. Big wins over rivals Mullen, D’Evelyn and Colorado Academy prove this team is for real. Seniors scattered throughout the doubles this team tough, but No. 2 singles player Max Morales might be the teams strongest line. The Mustangs from Dawson lost their top singles players from last year but still have a good team with some young and talented doubles players. They will need a strong day to test the Ravens.

(6) George Washington vs. (11) Evergreen

Our last matchup features a GW Patriots team that has been pushing some of the best schools in the state all season long. No. 2 singles Andrew Rettig and No. 3 singles Ryan Hajek have been solid all year, plus No. 2 doubles standouts Bryce Dilworth and Carlisle Wright look to push for an individual title at state as one of the best at their positions. But don’t sleep on the Cougars from Evergreen, as they return a deep team with tons of young talent, including junior Sam Billups at No. 1 singles. This last first round battle should be a tight and entertaining affair.