It may have been a bumpy start to the 2009 season, but the Lyons Township boys tennis team concluded its campaign in a positive fashion.

After a runner-up team finish at sectionals, senior Nick Kenaga and the doubles team of sophomore Danny Schuster and junior Matt Straface combined on a 7-4 record at last week’s IHSA state tournament.

“The start of the season was slow and poor for us,” LT coach Bill Wham said. “It was tough and mentally challenging. But the way we finished up was good to see. It really is an enthusiastic group and we ended on a good note.”

Kenaga closed his high school career with a 3-2 mark at state in singles competition. It was the third trip to state for Kenaga, who had an overall record of 12-6.

He opened Thursday by beating Matt Goedke of Marian Catholic 6-0, 6-1, but lost in the next round to Peoria Notre Dame’s Peter Heidrich 6-4, 6-1. Kenaga closed the day with victories over Craig Cahillane of Rockford Boylan (6-4, 6-2) and Joey Leto of Downers Grove South (6-2, 6-1).

On Friday, Kenaga’s prep career came to an end after a 7-5, 6-1 loss to Jacob Tanulanond of Andrew.

“In singles the conditioning and strength and mentality is a lot different than doubles,” Wham said. “You play four matches Thursday and then another one on Friday and that’s one guy out there by himself for six hours. Nick is a senior that has done the job for us for three years and that’s not bad.”

While Kenaga will be tough to replace in singles, Wham was encouraged by what he saw from Schuster and Straface. The duo went 4-2 and finished 20-24th place, which is good enough for third team all-state.

“They played their best tennis of the season over Thursday and Friday,” Wham said. “They improved a lot as a doubles team, and even the match they lost they played well. They’ll both have high expectations next year.”

It was a battle right from the start on Thursday as Schuster and Straface just got past Naperville Central 7-5, 7-5. They won again in the second round over Rockford Guilford 6-2, 6-4.
Their first loss came to John Beam and Branter Jones of New Trier — the eventual fourth-place team — 6-1, 6-3.

On Friday, the LT twosome beat Glenbrook North 6-4, 6-4 and held off Stevenson 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 before falling to Metamora 6-4, 7-5 in the sixth round of the consolation bracket.

“They both learned a lot, and they know there’s a lot of work to be done for next year,” Wham said.

The three LT players at state earned 10 points, which placed them in a tie for 24th.

“I thought the kids were well prepared and executed the game plan well,” Wham said. “That’s all you can ask.”