High school boys and girls tennis players to watch this spring

The boys and girls tennis seasons are underway. Here’s a short preview and players to watch lists.

Boys Tennis

Norwich Free Academy head coach Jay Berard begins his seventh season with the Wildcats, who are in rebuilding mode.

“With 6 freshmen we'll be focusing on a good foundation for future success,” Berard said.

The Wildcats will be led by No. 1 singles player Simon Chen-Ruan.

At Killingly, Eddie Loomis, now in his fifth year at the helm, is expecting to have a winning season.

Killingly will be led by No. 1 singles player Phill Purcell.

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Boys Tennis Players to Watch

Simon Chen-Ruan, Senior (Norwich Free Academy), Yakin Chowdhury, Freshman (Norwich Free Academy), Devan Delaney, Senior (Killingly), Colin Erickson, Senior (Killingly), Jackson Houk, Junior (Norwich Free Academy), William Jakubowski, Freshman (Norwich Free Academy), Sai Patel, Senior (Killingly), Phill Purcell, Junior (Killingly), Ivan Tang, Junior (Killingly), and Kevin Wang, Junior (Norwich Free Academy).

Girls' Tennis

NFA head coach Chris Portelance begins his 11th season overall, and sixth with the Wildcats girls tennis program.

“After losing six to graduation, and facing strong teams in ECC division-one, it'll be a rebuilding year, with hopes of improving enough to make states,” Portelance said.

The Wildcats will be led by junior co-captains Leeya Fabry and Katie Lavoie.

Norwich Tech’s Emily Hayes, now in her 14th season at the helm, returns some experience at the top of the singles ladder and should also be strong at doubles.

The Warriors will be led by No. 1 and No. 2 singles players Alyssa Mikolajczak and Amaris Moreno.

Killingly coach Roger Desir is in the process of regrouping the team.

“We have players agreeing to play new roles, from double to single and vice versa,” Desir said. “We also have six beginners that will face some challenges in varsity matches.”

Killingly will be led by sophomore Talia Santese.

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Girls Tennis Players to Watch

Cassidey Card, Senior (Killingly), Alejandra Cardona, Sophomore (Norwich Tech), Ruby Chiu, Junior (Norwich Free Academy), Olivia Denaker, Junior (Killingly), Norah Dimartino, Junior (Killingly), Leeya Fabry, Junior (Norwich Free Academy), Talia Gonzalez, Sophomore (Norwich Free Academy), Paulina Grzelczak, Junior (Norwich Free Academy), Katie Lavoie, Junior (Norwich Free Academy), Abby Limanni, Junior (Norwich Free Academy), Alexa Lopez, Senior (Norwich Tech), Alyssa Mikolajczak, Senior (Norwich Tech), Amaris Moreno, Senior (Norwich Tech), Emily Pomerleau, Junior (Norwich Tech), Zerring Ratzer, Junior (Norwich Tech), Talia Santese, Sophomore, (Killingly), Makenzie Staback, Junior (Norwich Tech), Malia Taylor-Robichaud, Senior (Killingly) and Peyton Welch, Freshman (Norwich Free Academy).

This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Tennis preview: NFA, Killingly girls in rebuilding mode