Palisades Aims to Continue Dynasty

By STEVE GALLUZZO | Sports Editor

The number that the members of the Palisades High boys tennis team will have in the back of their minds this season is 39. That is the total of City Section titles the team would have should it accomplish its goal in May and the Dolphins begin that quest as favorites to keep their championship streak alive. Most of the Dolphins were still toddlers the last time any team other than Palisades won the trophy back in 2008. Since then, the Dolphins have reeled off 13 straight City upper division crowns (the 2020 playoffs were canceled due to the coronavirus) and Coach Bud Kling believes his players are plenty motivated since none of them want the record streak to end on their watch.

Kling, the winningest coach in state history, has guided the boys to 29 City titles since he took over the program in 1979 and to secure his 30th he will need to figure out the best fit for the middle of his lineup.

“I have a lot of sorting to do to establish who the No. 3 and 4 singles players will be—it may not necessarily be our third and fourth best players,” Kling said. “Incoming kids have picked up basic doubles strategy very quickly so we have a lot of flexibility. It’s a good group of guys, very coachable, with a lot of spirit and unity, so I’m looking forward to a fun season. Hopefully we can make it 14 in a row.”

Playing No. 1 singles is senior Jex Frankel, who was runner-up to teammate Michael Kaplan in the City Individual singles tournament last spring. Sophomore Neel Joshi will play No. 2 singles but the last two slots are up for grabs, with Todd Valkov, Connor Wootton, Peter Garff and Max May all in the mix. Kling said the ladder may be determined by challenge matches in practice with many players being equal in ability.

Competing for doubles positions are freshmen Tavian Talbert, Zach Cohen and Eli Konecke; sophomores Tristan Kiperman, Caleb Scott, Tai Finestone and twins Luc and Nico Jesuele; junior Loucas Joannides; and senior Harrison Burkholder.

Palisades makes it annual trip to Fresno for the California Classic in early March. The season opens next Wednesday at Brentwood.