Coach Greg Wilkin has selected eight Phillips Academy boys for the Varsity A Tennis team after days of intense indoor and outdoor competition and evaluation. Last year, two-time NEPSITT singles title-holder Trey Meyer ’09 led the team to one of the most successful seasons in recent history. The team fell short to Loomis Chaffee in the finals of the NEITA team tournament, a memory four of this year’s players will not forget. Coach Wilkin added that Meyer was “the best player, leader and sportsman here in a long time.” With Meyer at Williams College and stronger competition from Division A teams, Andover will need to emerge as an all-out powerhouse this year in order to gain another chance at winning the New England Team Championship. New star Peter Heidrich ’11 joins Captain Mark Adamsson ’11 at the top of the lineup to form perhaps the most intimidating one and two seeds in the league. Heidrich, a multifaceted force with superb lateral foot speed and a fluent hitting stroke, is “excited to play on such a talented team with guys that are hungry for a championship.” Adamsson and Myles O’Neil ’12 are projected to be a dominating pair in doubles matches this season, having grown individually and collectively from last year’s contributions to the team. A key strongpoint in this year’s squad is overall depth, especially in the middle of the lineup. Hunter Schlacks ’11 and Michael Kontaxis ’11 occupy the three and four spots. Schlacks has sharpened his agility from Varsity Squash this winter, and Kontaxis has whipped himself into shape through offseason training. Max Png ’10 currently controls the number 6 spot, while Kennedy Edmonds ’12 and Alasdair McClintic ’13 hope to earn their way into a starting position in challenge matches during the week. Because new tennis transfers have flooded into the prep school application process the last couple years, it’s unsafe to say which teams will be leading in the standings. However, Deerfield Academy, Choate Rosemary Hall and Milton Academy are sure to be fierce opponents in the upcoming weeks. Last year, Andover captured a victory in a hostile environment when facing Milton, and this secondary rival may become the primary rival above Exeter this year. Coach Wilkin was pleased by his players’ composure last year “in the face of some provocation.” Coach Wilkin also adds that a key to this year’s success will be staying healthy. Last year, Adamsson struggled with some leg cramps throughout matches, but the depth in the lineup this year should help alleviate some of that worry. The team opens up against the Taft School on Saturday to kick off what will hopefully be a long and successful season.
