Depth of talent will make Arlington tennis competitive

ARLINGTON — Although numbers are down overall for boys tennis at Arlington High School, an experienced group of seniors will lead the team through the fall season.

"They're capable of doing well," said coach Sean Cunningham, who has taught many of the team's seniors for all four years of their high school tennis careers. "It's an even league. Our record could have been stronger, but we were in a lot of close matches."

The Arlington boys hope to come out on the right side of a lot more of those matches this year. With nine seniors filling the 10 varsity slots and seven of those seniors on the tennis team since their freshman year, the Eagles have a lot of game experience from their first singles player down to their last doubles pair. One junior fills the 10th slot.

That broad experience makes Arlington's squad one of the more balanced groups in Wesco North this year.

"When my No. 1 and No. 2 doubles play, they're virtually even," the coach added. "My three could be a two. My two could be a one. We don't have the strongest doubles team (in the league), but it gives us a chance in all of our matches."

What Cunningham is hoping is that strength down the roster will pick up wins there, giving Arlington team wins. Wins at No. 1 singles or No. 1 doubles would just be icing on the cake. After playing a little doubles and a little singles tennis last year, Ari Fernando is slated to be the team's No. 1 singles player.

"Ari's not in a position where he has to carry the team," Cunningham said. "The balance implies that there's not a lot of holes and that gives us a shot."

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Contact Arlington Times Sports Reporter Danielle Szulczewski at dszulczewski@marysvilleglobe.com or 360-659-1300.

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