Oakton Boys Tennis Brings 'Character' to the Courts

The Oakton High boys tennis team finished its regular season last year with a 5-5 record, which they think can be improved upon this year with key returners and a secret weapon.

The Cougars begin the 2012 season today at Herndon with a senior-heavy team, with three of the eight seniors to compete in the top six. Five of the top six from last year have returned. One senior is new to the Oakton High squad, but will be starting in the No. 1 spot.

"No one really knows about Danny Naja yet. He has been training at a tennis academy in College Park for the past two years, so tennis is his life," said Betsy Tyskowski, who is in her fourth year as head coach for the Cougars. "He wanted to come out and play, and we're thrilled to have him. He's got everybody excited."

Two returners, seniors Pat Cary and Alex Tyskowski, competed in the Concorde District tournament last year to win eight of 10 matches. Sophomore Cole Johnson has returned to play in the No. 2 spot with "a lot of potential for good things this season," Betsy Tyskowski said.

The team has great potential to compete deeper into the postseason. Regardless, the Cougars know one thing for sure: The season will be fun.

"You could say these boys have, well, character," Tyskowski laughed. "We've got two senior players and a senior manager who have created a whole other level of camaraderie: Kyle Delgado, Mike Filapponi and Chris Abdullah. They just get everybody excited."

Delgado, a co-captain for the Cougars, boasted about the feeling of brotherhood among the teammates, noting it's a quality often lacking in the largely individual sport of tennis.

"We're not a typical tennis team. When you come and watch our matches, there's a whole show with it. It's not the typical golf clap after every point. We like to get into it," he said. "I feel just as much a part of a team even though it's an individual sport as if I was actually part of a team sport."

They also rally around their coach, who does not discourage them from showing their big personalities in a sport that typically has a more subdued atmosphere.

"Coach Tyskowski is a great lady, you can quote me right there. I wouldn't want any other coach," Delgado said.

As much as there is joking at each practice — the boys have dubbed the tennis shed the "love shack" and decorated it accordingly — Tyskowski knows they can be serious to compete at the level necessary to stay competitive in the district.

To top the Concorde District, they will have to find a way to defeat Robinson, who the Cougars have not been able to beat in Tyskowski's first three years as coach.

"I feel like we're going to be pretty good this year," Delgado said. "We were even last year, and I expect to only get better. Districts is actually in sight if we can beat Robinson, who normally gives us trouble."

The Cougars open their season today at Herndon in a 3:30 p.m. match. After a match at Chantilly on Thursday, the team will host its home-opener at 3:30 p.m. March 27 against rival Robinson.