BOYS TENNIS Lied feels Spartans should be top 10 in state

Brookfield East boys tennis coach Linda Lied looks for the Spartans to be one of the top teams in the state this season.

"This team is very deep; we should be ranked in the top 10 for the state," Lied said. "It will be a dogfight between Marquette, Brookfield Central and us for the conference title.

"I believe Central only lost three players from their lineup, so I expect them to be strong again. But I think we will be a little deeper with our returning players and new freshman.

"Marquette only lost players from their doubles lineup, plus they have a very strong singles lineup (Damon Niquet is No. 1 in the state) so I expect them to be extremely tough this year."

Lied says to add Homestead, Eau Claire Memorial, Nicolet, Whitefish Bay, University School, Middleton and Kenosha Tremper into the mix when talking about the top teams in the state.

She has three returning seniors.

Ben Klein returns at No. 1 singles. He went to the round of 16 in the individual state tournament where he lost to No. 1 seed Alex Jesse of Homestead. Lied says Klein may play first doubles or rotate in the first two singles spots.

Michael Amato finished second in conference and won the sectional at No. 4 singles. He should move up to No. 3 singles.

Billy Dietz will be fighting for a spot in the top 10, probably at doubles.

"I could always count on Billy to be a clutch player," Lied said. "I will look for that leadership ability this year."

She has three juniors, including Tim Corwin, her talented No. 2 singles, who lost in the quarterfinals in the individual state tournament. He did win his match at the team state tournament. He was second in conference and first at sectionals.

"I'm not sure where he will play," Lied said. "I expect Tim to play some doubles and also some singles in the first two positions."

Cole Leonovicz, a varsity reserve doubles player last year, will be looking to break into the top 10 at doubles, and the same for Max Termuehlen.

Tim's brother, Felix Corwin leads the returning sophomores. He played No. 3 singles and qualified for the individual state tournament. He won the conference and sectional at No. 3 and will most likely rotate between the top two singles spots.

Ben Stewart, a member of the No. 1 doubles team, qualified for the individual state tournament and finished second in conference and at the sectional. He should play the top doubles position again or No. 2 depending on the makeup of the doubles teams.

Ed Oakes, another varsity reserve last year, will look to break into the top 10 at doubles.

Lied has four solid freshman to work with this season.

Jimmy Engelhart, a solid tournament player, is expected to contribute immediately at third or fourth singles, while Tyler Kendler should do the same at singles or doubles, Lied said.

Henri Termuehlen is a doubles player with a solid serve and volley game and Lied is counting on him to fill the many voids due to graduating five seniors from the doubles lineup.

Tim Langlois has the size and the game for doubles according to Lied, who said she is looking forward to developing him into a top 10 player.

"We are looking forward to the opportunity to compete against such quality teams," Lied said. "It should be a fun year."