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New Look Tennis Team Set To Challenge
St. Luke’s Boys Varsity Tennis is looking forward to another season on the courts with a number of new additions to the program this spring.
There are a number of new players and Stephen Vehslage has been appointed Head Coach for the 2017 campaign. Vehslage is impressed with what he has seen so far: “Preseason has been great. We had a really good number of the team down in Florida for the spring training which was wonderful. It provided a great opportunity for some team bonding and the opportunity for the kids to get to know me a little better.”
Although new to the role, Vehslage knows the lay of the land well having watched his sons Wiley ‘13, Henry ‘16 and Bailey ‘16 all play Varsity tennis for St. Luke’s for many years and he is excited to work with this group of players: “We have a strong team. We have a number of kids returning and some new kids who all look good. We have a nice mix of ages too as we have brought some 8th graders up to Varsity this year who are very solid tennis players.”
The team will be led by Porter Bowman ‘17, Jose Minuesa ‘17 and Ryan Manocherian ‘18 and Vehslage is looking to lean on their experience to help guide some of the younger players: “Our three captains are all very nice players but they also bring great leadership and positive energy to the team that our younger players can learn from.”
One of the younger members of the team, Jack Truwit ‘20, will be playing in the #1 spot this season with Manocherian at the number two singles, Minuesa at number three and Max Lehert rounding out the top four. “Jack Truwit is an outstanding talent and behind him we have Ryan, Jose and Max and who are all excellent too.” Vehslage added; “I think they have all improved the level of their game since last year, so we look good.”
On what he hopes to see from his team Vehslage said: “The first thing I emphasized with the group is sportsmanship. I want to see a clean and classy game. I am also looking for the guys to provide mutual support so they are all rooting each other on during practice and matches. I am looking for grit and perseverance so, even if a player goes down in a match, I know that they are always thinking of fighting back and always thinking they can win.”
The team has only had one scrimmage so far, which ended in a narrow 3-4 defeat to Wilton High School, but will open up the season on Friday 4/7 at Greens Farms Academy. Vehslage is looking forward to seeing what his players can achieve: “I want to see aggressive play and for our guys to take the game to the opponent as opposed to just rallying. I want them to take opportunities to put the point away. I think anyone at any point in the lineup has the opportunity to genuinely contribute to the team and I want every single player to bring spirit, commitment and positive energy to the court.”
St. Luke’s School is a secular (non-religious), private school in New Canaan, CT for grades 5 through 12 serving over 40 towns in Connecticut and New York. Our exceptional academics and diverse co-educational community foster students’ intellectual and ethical development and prepare them for top colleges. St. Luke’s Leading with Humanity curriculum builds the commitment to serve and the confidence to lead.
