Browsing: Tennis

By Walter Scott Jr. Thomas Dale Record last year: 6-9 Coach: Michael Zuk Players to watch: Minh Nguyen, Evan Moody Team captain Nguyen won four matches at No. 2 in 2019. The University of Lynchburg is interested in his services. A calm competitor, Moody bounced around among seeds 3, 4 and 5, winning five matches. Seniors on the roster: Minh Nguyen, Cameron Tucker Keys to success: Zuk said that he would like to be more competitive. If the team stays focused and on their toes, this can happen. Nguyen and Moody will need to lead the way in tough matches. Meadowbrook…

Matoaca High School senior Chewon Kim was a big part of the Warriors’ dominance in tennis south of the river over the past few years. In 2019, Kim had a near-perfect 12-1 record and a 4.1 grade point average. For those performances, he has been named Village News boys tennis Player of the Year. “Chewon was by far the best player on our team,” coach Matt Ramirez said. “He’s potentially the best player Matoaca has ever had.” A captain his junior and senior seasons, Kim’s cool and calm attitude served him well on and off the tennis court. “Chewon has…

Recent Thomas Dale High School graduate Lauren Zuskin was selected as the Village News girls tennis Player of the Year. Zuskin was a team leader for the Knights on the court and in the classroom, as she was the team’s top player and also finished in the top 20 of the 2019 graduating class. “Lauren is extremely positive,” coach Kara Watts said. “She maintained a high grade point average, a social life, was very involved with clubs at school and represented our team well.” On the court, Zuskin teamed with Myra Anne Martin on doubles. The duo formed what Watts…

Boys’ Player of the Year: Connor Thomas, Matoaca As a high school tennis coach, it’s always nice to have a player at the top of your lineup who can be relied upon for a win match after match. For Matoaca coach Matt Ramirez, Connor Thomas was just that. Thomas came into his senior season this spring as reigning Conference 12 Player of the Year. For anyone, that kind of season is hard to follow up or improve upon, but Thomas found a way. Thomas dominated from the first point of the regular season until the last. His grit and unmatched…

Girls Coming into the season with little tennis experience, Thomas Dale freshman Emily Nicol stayed committed to improving her game and finished the year with the Knights’ best individual record en route to being nominated for and winning the Village News girls Tennis Player of the Year. Emily’s intangibles were the key to earning an 8-5 record, and it is necessary to stay calm, cool, and collected while playing a difficult Conference 3 schedule. “Her poise really helped her in those tough matches against James River, Cosby, and Clover Hill,” said coach Ellen Womble. “She stayed cool and played some…

Last year’s record of 12-4 had its successes, but Matoaca tennis fell a bit short of the team’s 2014 successes of a Conference 12 championship. With a roster full of returns and an exciting freshman coming aboard, coach Max Ramirez will look to guide the Warriors back to the promised land. As of a press time, they have gotten off to a 2-0 start with wins over Colonial Heights and Hopewell. 1. Connor Thomas, junior Thomas is a very skilled player who loves to win. He can compete with the best players in Conference 12 and could challenge for a…

BOYS TENNIS Thomas Dale boys tennis finished 7-9 last year and returns three seniors that will lead the way, along with a newcomer that could serve the Knights well in 2016. Top 6 Seeds: 1. Nate Haskins, senior A determined and smart player, Haskins always keeps a level head. He’ll lead the way for Thomas Dale in 2016 on his fourth year on varsity. 2. Jacob Crowder, senior Another four year varsity player, coach Andrew Boydoh said he’s been playing some his best season over the first week and in practice. Crowder is a ‘never give up’ type of player.…

Boys Soccer The Monarchs fell in the second straight year to a tough Mills Godwin team in the regionals. After losing 2-1 in 2014, they fell 2-0 last season. A host of solid returning players and one of the deepest Meadowbrook squads will take aim at a Conference 12 championship in coach Gabriel Hochstetler’s third season. Meadowbrook finished 10-6-3 and returns a number of talented pieces off last year’s team including two top tier defenders in Jafeth Varela and Ajahli Challenger. Challenger earned first team all-conference 12 honors. Offensively speaking, Juan Carlos Martinez will quarterback the team as a top…

Matoaca Girls No. 1 Rina Croston, Sophomore No. 2 Brittany Beverly, Freshman No. 3 Jackie Cheely, Senior No. 4 Zoey Coleman, Sophomore First year head coach Jen Wells is excited about the talent she has on a young Matoaca team as the top four seeds feature one athlete, do-it-all Jackie Cheely, who is an upperclassmen. “Croston is showing a lot of potential,” Wells said. “She’s aggressive, not afraid to hit it hard, and not afraid of the ball.” Beverly, a freshman, hits the ball with skill. While inexperienced at the high school level, she brings a rarity to schools south…