TENNIS: Gaels boys set to join elite teams in Sunset

In the past nine seasons, three schools have made an appearance in the Sunset Region boys tennis tournament final.

Palo Verde, Centennial, Bonanza. That’s it; no one else.

Bishop Gorman is hoping to crash the party this season.

The Gaels return 11 lettermen, including some potentially elite players, and hope to advance to the state tournament for the first time since 2003.

“The potential of this team is exciting for me,” veteran Gorman coach Craig Witcher said. “We have a lot of freshmen who are very good players. We have a lot more depth on this team than we have had in a long time. I don’t think we know how good we can be.

“We’ve been close in a lot of years. We’ve been improving every year.”

Gorman has had a solid program each year but was stuck in the same region with Bonanza and Palo Verde, which have combined to win the past nine region titles.

Bonanza and Palo Verde met in five straight region finals from 2004 to 2008. Centennial cut into the dance in 2009 and has finished as the runner-up to the Panthers in each of the past four seasons.

“We didn’t do as well as I hoped we would do last year,” Gaels sophomore Sam Sholeff said. “But over the last couple of years, we’ve been getting better and better players. We have a much deeper team this year. It’s making everybody better.”

Sholeff leads the list of returnees after placing fourth in the Sunset boys singles tournament last year.

Jalen Paulos, one of the team’s two seniors, and junior Joe Conners also are back after advancing to the region quarterfinals in doubles last season. Also returning are sophomore Skylar Davidson, who was part of another doubles team that advanced to the quarterfinals, and junior Ian Dobberstein, a quarterfinalist in singles in the region tournament.

Sholeff again will play singles this season, and he’s got help at the top of the Gaels’ lineup with the addition of freshman Dylan Leavitt.

“He’s really, really good,” Paulos said of Leavitt.

Witcher could have challenges when it comes to making out a lineup this season. With Leavitt leading a strong freshman class, the Gaels have more good players than available starting spots.

“These guys, I watch them hit, and there’s some good stuff out there,” Witcher said.

It’s a good problem to have and one that’s likely to continue since the Gaels are young. Paulos is the lone senior expected to start this season, meaning if the Gaels can be the force they hope to be, it could build momentum for the future.

Plenty of obstacles are along the road, though.

Palo Verde and Centennial are expected to be strong again and could block the Gaels’ path to state, while defending state champion Coronado could be every bit as good this season.

“Our team is deeper. Everyone is a year more experienced,” Paulos said. “I’m hoping we can win state this year. That’s always been the goal, but I think we have a good chance this year.

“It’s my senior year. We have to do it.”