NEW PALESTINE — There are a few more unknowns than anticipated, but the New Palestine Dragons boys’ tennis team is working hard to find the proper mix with the 2020 season scheduled to begin on Monday.
Coach Jean Graham knew her team would be without standout No. 1 singles player Ben Blachly. Last season’s Hancock County Player of the Year has graduated and is pursuing a degree in engineering at Purdue University.
Blachly had a 19-6 record in 2019 and was named all-county and all-district.
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“A real solid player. We’ll greatly miss him,” Graham said.
Due to the risks related to COVID-19, Graham’s top-returning player Colin Darley will sit out this season. His older brother, Trevor, is currently fighting health issues.
“It’s not worth the risk,” Graham said. “The big scheme of life is to keep his brother healthy. You just can’t take that chance.”
Darley, a junior, was the team’s No. 2 player last season.
An injury has also slowed returning No. 3 singles player Zach Au. Graham is hopeful Au will return during the season.
Also graduated is Jeremy Wagoner, who was a veteran on varsity doubles.
“We’ve got some good athletes that will need to step up to the plate,” Graham said. “I see promise and they are working very hard.”
Not everyone is gone. The Dragons do have some very talented returnees.
Senior Ethan Haeberle and junior Ezra Schwier both thrived in doubles competition, though both could end up taking open spots on the singles line.
Haeberle-Schwier was quite the combo in 2019, joining Blachly last season by winning the county crown at the No. 1 doubles spot.
“Both could play singles, but they love doubles,” Graham said.
Haeberle and Schwier will have spots in the lineup somewhere, while a number of others are vying to fill out the rest of the card.
Juniors Caleb Davis and Jackson Habel played at No. 2 doubles last season, including the sectional. They are part of Graham’s hard working crew looking for varsity time and also part of the coach’s largest class.
Clayton Wesley, Zayden Stiller and Devon Bird are other juniors hoping to see their name on the varsity lineup sheet. Schwier and Zach Au are also juniors.
Haeberle and William Au, who Graham calls the most improved, are the team’s seniors.
Newcomer Messiah Kent-Brooks, a freshman, is another Dragon that may work his way in.
Led by the strong performances of Blachly and the No. 1 doubles team of Haeberle-Schwier, New Palestine had a solid 2019, finishing the campaign with a mark of 13-9.
Though a winning season, the Dragons had a pair of winning streaks snapped. Last year marked the end of New Palestine’s reign at the top of the county and sectional leaderboard. The Dragons had won nine straight in both tournaments before falling to Mt. Vernon in both events in 2019.
This year’s club will get tested right away, too.
The season begins Monday with the first of three straight road matches.
After opening with a trip to Greensburg, the Dragons go to Whiteland to play a strong Warrior program Tuesday. Hoosier Heritage Conference play begins at Yorktown on Thursday, Aug. 20.
The scheduled home opener is for Aug. 24 against defending conference champion Delta.
A lot of work ahead for a Dragon team that may have a few more unknowns than others.
“That’s how you get better,” Graham said of her team’s strong schedule. “They have great attitudes and they are working hard and I’ve been real happy with that.
“I think the boys are just really happy to be out playing, and happy to be out competing and being with their buddies.”
