Headed into the season, Francis Howell Central tennis coach Don Lober was full of hope.
"I told the kids at the beginning of the season that this is the best team that, I believe, I have coached," Lober said. "This is my fifth season here. My first season, we were 2-12. Last season, we were 12-2, and I think we're headed in the right direction. I told the kids that this is the most talented and deepest squad we've had.
"We've been talking all season about bringing home some hardware," Lober added. "Whether that would be a conference plaque or a district plaque, I think it is within the realm of possibility."
So far, there is no reason those hopes should have dampened.
Howell Central is off to a 10-1 start.
The only rough afternoon his squad has faced came on March 31 at home against DeSmet in a 7-2 loss.
"I wish we would have played a little better against DeSmet," Lober said. "I don't know if we could have won that one, but I think we could have had a little better showing, but, all things considered, it's been a good season. I just wanted to see how we matched up against a private school from the other side of the river, where the quality of play may be a little better. We're not there yet."
Other than the loss to DeSmet, things have come up roses for the Spartans.
The team has yet to have another close match. So far, Howell Central has yet to win less than six match points (out of nine) in any other match.
Lober points to the steady core of tennis talent for the main reason behind that success.
"The strength of our team has been the depth and quality of all six of our players," Lober said. "From one to six, there is not a big dropoff. They're all very solid."
Sophomore No. 1 Sean Nanney has led the way. His productive season comes one year removed from a trip to the state tournament.
"He's gotten even better," Lober said. "Having him out there just makes us all that much better."
Another key player has been senior Justin Arndt at No. 2 singles. Additionally, senior Derek Hoerman at No. 4 singles has proven to be a nice surprise. He's a player who has succeeded in his first season of tennis.
Others who have made an impact have been junior Ryan Pham at No. 3 singles and juniors Neel Kothari at No. 5 singles and Eric Chin at No. 6 singles.
The six players have also combined, in some form, as potent doubles teams.
Howell Central was faced with a tough task Monday as the GAC dual meet crown was likely on the line against Howell North, weather permitting.
Both teams entered the match with unbeaten marks -- Howell Central at 6-0 in the GAC and Howell North at 5-0.
"Monday is huge for us," Lober said. "In years past, the team that won the GAC tournament got a GAC plaque and the top team (during the dual meet season) didn't really get anything. That's all changed. Howell North is a very good and deep team. We're going to have to work hard to (win). They are a good team and we'll have our work cut out for us."
