2017 Men's Tennis Season Preview
Coming off their highest finish ever in the Big 8 Conference in 2016 (3rd), the FLC men's tennis team has their sights set on moving up to a top-two finish in 2017. With four returning players from last year's squad – including State final-8 qualifier Sean Alves - the Falcons appear to have the talent and depth to accomplish their goal. Accompanying Alves are 2016 All-Conference player (and state qualifier in both singles and doubles) Shawn Morgan, 2016 FLC #2 singles and doubles player Max Hennessey, and 2016 state qualifier in doubles, Praj Ta.
The Falcons have five newcomers to compliment the returnees, headed by Sierra College sophomore transfers Alex Bychoviak and Josh Harder. Two incoming freshmen will also challenge for spots in the lineup as both played at number one for their respective high schools: Kyle Fontes from Placer HS in Auburn and Joseph Ballard from Roseville HS. And finally, the wild card of the bunch could prove to be Jeff Chale, who moonlights as FLC's athletic equipment attendant. Not only is Jeff the oldest freshman athlete, but quite possibly the most experienced player on the team.
Alves is coming off the finest season ever for a Falcon athlete, as he was the only NorCal player to advance to the 2016 state quarterfinals. He earned All- Big 8 Conference honors and was awarded the prestigious 2016 Folsom Lake College "Athlete of the Year". Head Coach Patrick Rutz is confident his squad can improve on their fifth place team finish in NorCals from last year and is hoping for at least third in 2017. At this point, the 2017 Falcons look like the strongest men's tennis squad in the eight years of Falcon Tennis.