Boys’ Varsity Tennis has just begun, with new goals and high expectations for the team. After falling just short of a victory at last year’s Regional Semi-Finals (as a team) and winning the State Championship (for individual singles), this year’s squad is hopeful for the 2011 season.

Returning to the courts this year is junior Blaine Willenborg, one of PC’s top tennis stars. Last season, Blaine took home the state championship title after representing Pine Crest in the individual state bracket. Blaine played his way up the ladders and confronted an opponent who had beaten him earlier in tennis season during regionals. Blaine proceeded to defeat his opponent 6-1, 6-1 and won the title. One month later,

This season, the boys’ team had seventeen players vying for only ten spots. Tryouts were based off a ladder where players ranked according to previous year’s performance and their United States Tennis Association (USTA) rank. From there, players may challenge other players above them to move up the ladder.

Pending a victory, players can continue to move the rankings and challenge the next player. If one of PCS’ athletes loses, however, then he must stay at their current ranking and defend it against anybody else who might want to challenge them. The entire process usually takes about three weeks to complete and finalize.

With a healthy amount of people coming out, and encouragement from last year’s success, Tennis Department Head, Kasey Hamaway, says that she “is expecting a very good year and is hoping the Boys’ Varsity Team makes it to States.”Boys’ Varsity Coach Farhan Malik also is very optimistic for a successful season.

The varsity team’s first match is away against Ransom Everglades in Key Biscayne February 8. Their first, and only, home match is March 22. Let’s all wish the Varsity Tennis team good luck this year, and go out whenever possible to support them.

The Sun-Sentinel awarded him the Broward Boy’s Tennis Player of the Year award.