BOYS TENNIS PREVIEW: Devils look to shake things up in '08

By Steve Franklin

Even though the Blue Devils finished with an 8-7 record last season, Coach Ron Hutchins has decided to shake things up in 2008.

Culpeper will return all six starters to the lineup this season, but the order has completely changed.

Logan Desabrais has been supplanted by Clark Chase as the Devils’ No. 1 singles player. Desabrais will drop to the No. 2 slot. Meanwhile, senior Jimmy Ruffo will go from No. 3 singles to No. 4 singles, and Randy Smyth will move up to No. 3. No. 5 and No. 6 singles will remain the same with those spots occupied by Glenn Johnston and Billy Craven.

Hutchins, who enters his 32^nd season as Culpeper’s head coach, is hoping the Devils switch will help some of his guys gain confidence.

“We found that they weren’t playing well in the positions we had them in,” Hutchins said. “We felt like these changes could help us, and the kids were willing to do it, so we’re going to give it a try. Hopefully Logan will gain confidence playing at No. 2, and Randy is playing so well that I think he’s better suited to play at No. 3.”

The Blue Devils believe that the changes will allow them to sneak into the top-four in district play and qualify for the four-team Cedar Run District Team Tournament.

“It’s important to get into the top-four,” Hutchins said. “We’ve got a lot of experience, so hopefully that will pay off.”

In doubles action, Desabrais and Smyth will play in the No. 1 position, while Craven and Johnston are slated to play No. 2 doubles. The No. 3 doubles team will be Chase and Bret Paisley.

“Logan and Randy have never played together before, so that might take some time for them to come together,” Hutchins said. “But Billy and Glenn have been playing together for three years, so they are already playing well together. Bret is our fastest player, so teaming him with Clark is going to be a pretty good No. 3 doubles team.”

The positions are different, but the faces are the same. And come May, Hutchins is hoping his teams experience will allow them to be in top form.

“Most of these guys have been out here for three years,” Hutchins said. “That should show this season. We should be able to improve upon last year’s record.”