Tennis Cardinals are aiming high
They’ve knocked on the door several different seasons now.
They’ve been the state runner-up four different times since 2000. They’ve reached the state tournament 13 times in the past two decades.
In the midst of all that success, though, that elusive state championship has dodged Middleton’s boys tennis team.
Perhaps this will finally be the year the Cardinals break through.
Middleton, which reached the WIAA Division 1 state semifinals a year ago, brings back a solid nucleus and added some key newcomers that seem ready for big things. That could mean another terrific season for the Cardinals.
“My expectations are very high again for our team this year,” Middleton coach Tony Mirasola said. “I think we have the opportunity to compete for a state title. “We've fallen short in the semifinals the past couple of seasons and we really want to make it past that hurdle. But with a lot of new players, we need to take it one match at a time and build together as a team.”
Senior Ian Connell will lead this year’s Cardinals. Connell, a four-year letterwinner, played mostly No. 2 singles last year. Connell reached the individual state tournament last year and won a match before losing to the eventual state champion.
“Ian is playing No. 1 singles currently and playing some great tennis to start the season,” Mirasola said. “I expect big things from him this season.”
Junior Jonathan Kim played No. 3 singles last year and reached the individual state tournament. Kim is currently playing No. 2 and seems poised for a big season.
“Johnny is a very talented player in both singles and doubles,” Mirasola said. “Johnny has a great year ahead.”
Junior Aarush Gupta went undefeated at No. 4 singles last season and could slide up in the lineup.
“Aarush never lost a match (last year),” Mirasola said. “He has started the year well at No. 3 singles and very workmanlike in his performance. He always brings his best tennis and knows what he needs to do to win.”
Middleton also figures to get a boost at some point from freshman Ethan Bo, who is currently injured. Bo is one of the more highly-regarded freshmen in the state and could jump to one of the top spots in the lineup.
“Ethan will likely play one of the top couple of singles spots when he returns,” Mirasola said.
Senior Kieran Gopal returns at No. 1 doubles and will team with sophomore Ilya Rice.
“The two of them have a lot of chemistry,” Mirasola said. “I've really seen Kieran step into more of a leadership role on the team this year and it shows with his approach on the court.”
Others that could contribute include seniors Saketh Peddireddy and Franklin Hu, juniors Neel Mukherjee and Alan Kanne, sophomores Jun Lee and Evan Blakeman, and freshman Bodi Russo.
“We have a lot of talented singles players on our team so that will certainly be a strength for us,” Mirasola said. “We have some experienced doubles players at the lower flights, but with lots of returners losing their partners the key will be finding the best combinations in doubles. The challenge will also be balancing the talent of our singles players and whether or not we move any of them into doubles.”
Middleton and Madison West are the Big Eight Conference favorites. When the postseason arrives, Hartland Arrowhead appears to be greatest threat to the Cardinals.
But Middleton believes it has plenty of talent, depth and experience to make this another memorable year — and maybe, just maybe one in which they finally bring home a state title.
“I know our returners certainly want to get back to that stage again,” Mirasola said of chasing a state title. “Being so close to the state final and not making it was a tough pill to swallow.
“All the guys worked really hard in the offseason to make sure we can take that next step this season. I think we have a very good opportunity to return to team state again, but will certainly need to perform well when it matters most.”
