Niwot Boys Tennis off to a solid start

Niwot Boys Tennis Coach Aimee Hites returns with high expectations for her youthful but experienced squad.

"Our goal is to win state," Hites said. "We're super young, and super talented." The Cougars started off with a 7-0 win over Frederick High School Aug. 11, and have already seemingly picked up a second victory by forfeit as Skyline High's team reported only three players out for tennis for this week's match.

Things will get tougher with Alexander Dawson School on Aug. 18, followed by Class 5A powerhouse Valor Christian the next day.

Hites is assisted by Keith Wilcox again, although both of his sons have now graduated.

Senior Luke Weber returns to lead the way at No. 1 singles. Junior LiChen Liao is back at No. 2 singles, having won the state title a year ago at that position. "He'd probably be number one anywhere else in Boulder County," Hites said.

The No. 3 singles spot is "still up in the air," according to Hites. Freshman Charlie Kirtland, who moved to Niwot from Seattle, currently holds the spot. "He came here last spring and did a tour of the school," Hites said, so she had an idea of his interest and talent.

The No. 1 doubles team, so far, consists of freshman Oskar Hansen and sophomore Sebastian Moy. Moy played No. 2 doubles for the Cougars last year. Both Hansen and Moy are in the battle for the No. 3 singles spot but they may stay at No.1 doubles, which Hites describes as a position where a lot of teams stack some of their best players. "They're really good together," Hites said of Hansen and Moy.

The No. 2 doubles team is likely to be senior Ryan Gray and junior Kyle Davidson. Gray played No. 1 doubles last year, but he is now the Niwot High School Student Body President, which will make demands on his time. Hites noted Gray's move down to No. 2 doubles, "is really good for our team" given the level of competition from newcomers. Davidson will be back in a familiar position as he played No. 2 doubles last year.

Ollie Jones, a sophomore, moves up to No. 3 doubles from No. 4 doubles a year ago and is joined by another sophomore, Tyler Chivkoba, who moved all the way up from the JV squad.

Rex Wallington, a sophomore, returns at No. 4 doubles and is joined by junior Lahritz Strazenbach, who played No. 3 doubles last season.

Two other players are also in the mix for varsity positions and may swing between varsity and JV. Tavi Soni, a junior who played No. 3 doubles last year, and Manan Gangwar, a junior, will be pushing for varsity positions.

"We only had two seniors graduate," Hites said. "Adding those two freshmen has made a big difference.