This season is business as usual for boys' tennis.

It seems to be business as usual for the M-A tennis team. Coming off a perfect 16-0 in the league season last year, the Bears show no signs of slowing down, continuing their streak with yesterday’s 7-0 rout of visiting Woodside. M-A coach Carlos Aguilar has said that this year’s team will be the best one M-A has produced since 1981.

The team is anchored by seniors Alec Haley, Avi Shah, Matt Menninger and Alden Mitchel. Haley is ranked 34th in California and 208th nationally. He recently returned from a national tournament in Alabama, where he did well, upsetting several higher ranked players. Haley plays #1 singles, followed by Mitchell in the #2 position. Menninger and Shah play 3rd in the doubles lineup. Haley has said that the team is “looking to go undefeated [in PAL] and do well in CCS”. The team is expected to face only one real challenge in league play, coming in the form of Burlingame. Their #1 singles player is ranked second in PAL behind Haley, who is quick to mention that in league play he beat the Burlingame player 6-1, 6-1.

Despite having a flawless 2009 season stat-wise, the team experience tragedy when two of its members were unable to compete due to medical reasons. Then-sophomore Zach Wentz had a sudden hematoma on his spine, paralyzing him from the waist down and making it impossible for him to compete by league rules. Another junior was diagnosed with leukemia and spent his season combating the cancer with chemotherapy. To show their support for their fallen comrades, the team stitched the initials of each player into the sleeves of their uniforms. The message was clear – though the boys could not physically be on the court, they were always in the minds of their teammates.

Needless to say, the season looks very promising for the Bears. The team’s combination of a strong pool of talent coupled with good coaching is expected to take them deep into CCS. Senior Avi Shah says “dominant play isn’t the only reason to watch the bears this year…we will also be sporting sleeveless tops. So come out, enjoy some eye candy and watch us make history.”