Sussex Academy boys’ tennis hoping to continue upward trend
With a rebound that bounced farther than the fence around their tennis courts in 2024, the Sussex Academy boys’ tennis team is confident they will continue that growth in 2025.
“We have the potential to have a really strong season this year,” said coach Lesley Eichten. “All of our starters from last year returned, and we've added three really strong underclassmen who have the potential to be starters even this year.”
For the first time in a couple of years, the Seahawks’ roster is big enough – and skilled enough – to have challenge matches.
“They've all been coming to practices, and we have battles for starting positions this year,” Eichten said. “For the first time in a couple of seasons, we have more than seven really strong players.”
Eichten’s son, JP, will likely lead the team as the first-singles player, but the sophomore could be joined in the singles matches by a pair of eighth-graders.
“We have Charlie [Bowman] and Jack [Feinstein], two eighth-graders who are arguably two of our best guys on the team,” said senior Matthew Perchiniak. “I think we just got stronger all around. We have guys like myself, Nathan [VanPelt], Kieran [Probert], Leo [Benz], Logan [Mattie] and Cole [Wanalista] who can kind of fill in those double spots.”
Perchiniak is joined by Nathan VanPelt as the two seniors on the team. VanPelt had a quality run last year in doubles with Mattie.
“There are more people that know how to play this year, and we have an extra year of experience playing with each other,” VanPelt said. “No matter where we play, I think we'll have a better record than last year.”
The senior added that his personal goal is to improve the team’s record, and he is confident the squad can flip some losses into wins. He is even excited to take on perennial powerhouse Caesar Rodney.
“Every other school, I think we got them beat, but CR, we haven't been able to beat yet, so I'm looking forward to playing them this year,” VanPelt said.
His coach believes the team is ready to take the next step.
“They're pretty confident that they belong in the conference and that they're part of the conversation,” Eichten said.
Sussex Academy will open its season at home against Worcester Prep at 3:30 p.m., Wednesday, March 26.
