By Dan Shriner
Review Editor
Lake Orion’s boys? tennis team lost an important part of their team recently but gained an unexpected addition that Coach Eric Bracciano hopes will fill a gap for three more years.
The team’s senior captain Gavin Mills, suffered an injury that is expected to keep him out for the remainder of the season.
‘Our captain, Gavin is out for the rest of the year. It’s very unfortunate for Gavin. He was our number one player. He needs to just get healthy now.?
But, the team then discovered an unexpected replacement, who came out one day and asked to play.
The replacement, Julian Olejnki, is a freshman transfer student from Germany who quickly became the team’s number one singles player.
‘We look very strong in our singles lineup. Julian is going to help us and he will be here for three years,? Bracciano said. ‘We’re pretty happy to have him. He showed up one day and wanted to play.?
The Dragons play in the OAA White Division and will challenge North Farmington, Rochester, Berkley and Stoney Creek. North Farmington is expected to be a big challenge wince they are ranked ninth in the state.
‘It’s a short season but we’re hoping to finish near the top our league. We have two a remaining trournament and hope to win one of them. North Farmington will be a challenge but I put us just below them,? Bracciano said. ‘We are right there as one of the teams.?
The team also will rely on number two singles player sophomore Taggart Hatch. Junior Kevin Hansen will play number three singles and senior Jan Bernhardt will play number four singles.
The Dragons? top doubles team will be senior Kyle Turk and sophomore Travis VandenHeuvel. After that, there are several untested underclassmen.
‘Our doubles players are a work in progress. I expect we will improve over time. We are very young across the board. We will graduate only two players this year. I am hopeful about the season and I think we will be right there at the end.?