The Boys Tennis team will start off their season with an away game at Salem tonight, starting at 5 p.m. 

Head Coach Matt Wolfe reflects on some big wins last year. 

“As far as big wins last year, I’d definitely have to say coming out to start the season beating Salem was big because they always have a very solid team. And we had lost to them the year previous so getting that to start the season was a great boost for us. Then winning the last match of the season at North Harrison was also a big step for our confidence heading into sectional. That team had lots of seniors and we were able to go to their courts and get a win on their final home match of the season,” said Wolfe.

Seniors this year include Isaac Cornett-McBride, William Milner, Dawson Poe, Treyvin Street and Lucus Stroud. 

Wolfe expresses his feelings towards his seniors.

“It will be tough when the season end to see these guys go. They helped bring life back to the tennis program and we will be grateful to them for a long time,” said Wolfe.

Poe sees improvement in the team’s future.

“I hope that we have a strong season together as a team and that we learn to improve as it goes on,” said Poe.

This year’s roster includes seniors Cornett-McBride, Milner, Poe, Street, Stroud, juniors Jason Beavers, Raygar Minton, Matteo Sambruni, sophomores Hayden Bostock, Brian Fullington, Josh Zapien, and freshmen Josh Herd, Charlie Higgins, Kirk Hughes, Dakota Mousty and Chad Sullivan.

Wolfe gives fans a rundown of this season.

“As for filling spots on our roster, we are very fortunate to return everybody. I will have four senior starters and one junior this season with Isaac Cornett-McBride, Raygar Minton and Lucus Stroud Handling singles duty’s this year and the very strong senior duo of Treyvin Street and William Milner playing one doubles. We have Kirk Hughes an incoming freshman going to join the starting lineup this year which is great because he is the all-time leader for wins in our JH tennis program. The seventh spot currently is up in the air. We have a lot of good players fighting for that position,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe takes pride in his captain Cornett-McBride, who has led the team since his sophomore year.

“He shows up every day giving his all and pushing his teammates to get better as well. He has handled this role very well since taking it over,” said Wolfe.

Cornett-McBride hopes to leave an impact on his team.

“I hope to be able to lead and make the underclassmen prepared for upcoming seasons as well as grow and mature into better people,” said Cornett-McBride.

Wolfe believes all his seniors will step up and help run the team.

“Treyvin, William, and Lucus are always trying to help the younger guys. This year we have a very talented and deep JV team this year and they are all pushing each other every day in hopes of an undefeated JV season,” said Wolfe.

Wolfe and his team have their eyes on Sectionals like other teams, but also on one tournament specifically.

“Our hopes for this season is to have a winning record and win the Crawford tournament and compete at a high level to give ourselves a chance at Sectional. Our goal is to bring a resurgence to the tennis program as a whole and put Paoli Tennis back out there as a winning program,” said Wolfe.