Order on the court

Strong group of returning players should make Wildcat netters contenders in 2009

  Tennis is becoming more than a part-time sport at Plymouth High School -- and coach Tom Kimball couldn't be happier.
  "I have four or five guys now who play all-year-around tennis," Kimball said, when discussing his 2009 contingent. "They play in tournaments throughout the off-season. They're excited about the improvement they make by putting in their time. This catches on with the other kids who see the success they're enjoying, and they want to follow in their footsteps."
If there is strength in numbers, the Wildcats will be big-time strong this fall. The current roster of 46 players is one of the largest in the history of the school, Kimball said.
"We lost a couple of really good doubles players, but for the most part our nucleus is back," he said.
Following several days of competitive challenge matches, sophomore Aaron Zhang is the Wildcats' No. 1 singles player. Filling out the singles line-up will be junior Matt Dwan (No. 2), Pat Onoro (No. 3) and Andy Mitchell (No. 4).
The No. 1 doubles team will consist of Pat Bailey and John Lopus.
"After No. 1 doubles, we're still juggling the line-up," Kimball said. "We still have a number of kids fighting it out in challenge matches to see who starts the season in those spots.
"A lot of the guys are playing high-level tennis."
Plymouth's slate will be packed in September. Along with their three-matches-a-week league schedule, the Wildcats will host the Wildcat Invitational on Sept. 12 before traveling to Dexter (Sept. 19) and Holly (Sept. 26) for invitationals.

Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.