Niwot High boys tennis in "redemption mode" entering new campaign

The Niwot High School boys tennis team hasn't forgotten how last season ended.

After putting together a 9-4 regular season, including an 8-0 match record in the Class 4A Region 5 League, head coach Aimee Irwin was surprised when Niwot was seeded No. 8 in the state tournament, with an early match against the No. 1 seed. The Cougars, disappointed by their low seeding, were then edged 4-3 by eventual 4A state champion Kent Denver in the quarterfinals.

Minus the now-graduated Luke Weber, most of Niwot's key names from last fall are back and motivated to prove themselves.

"We're in redemption mode from last year because we got seeded a little unfairly for the state tournament," Irwin said. "We're out to go after that."

While losing Weber at No. 1 singles certainly hurts, senior LiChen Liao, who won the No. 2 singles state title in 2021, appears ready to thrive in Niwot's top spot. Liao enters this season with unfinished business as well after falling in the No. 2 singles semifinals last year.

"LiChen showed up to a lot of the (summer) workouts and is stepping up because he's kind of the new leader of this team and has to fill big shoes with Luke leaving," Irwin said. "So far, he's showing me that he's ready for it."

Besides Liao at No. 1 singles, Irwin doesn't yet have a clear picture of the Cougars' lineup ahead of their season opener at Frederick High School on Thursday, Aug. 10. She's currently letting sophomores Oskar Hansen and Charlie Kirtland, junior Sebastian Moy and senior Kyle Davidson compete for the remaining two singles spots. Kirtland was Niwot's primary No. 3 singles player last year, Hansen and Moy led the No. 1 doubles duo, and Davidson was used anywhere from No. 2 singles to No. 2 doubles.

"For the first time in a long time, I have no idea how it's going to shake out," Irwin said of Niwot's lineup.

Niwot's early schedule isn't going to allow the Cougars much time to relax, either. Irwin said that her team has matches set with boy tennis powerhouses Cherry Creek, Valor Christian, Kent Denver, Colorado Academy and Mullen, plus a Class 5A-heavy tournament at Boulder High School.

The Cougars' first home match is set for Tuesday, Aug. 15 against Skyline High School.

Irwin hopes that the difficult schedule will help Niwot better prepare for the competition it'll face in the state playoffs.

"We definitely have a chance to make a run for the team state title, for sure," Irwin said. "That's a lot on me getting the lineup right and the doubles teams and the formations right and getting us peaking at the right time. But talent-wise, we have it."