The local courts were full of competition and camaraderie this season, with each Keys tennis team finding a level of in-county success. Coral Shores finished with a 5-7 record after sweeping the Conchs in their three meetings this year and defeating Marathon twice. Marathon went on to finish 4-6, with two wins each against Key West and Coral Shores. Key West went 2-8, picking up their two wins against Marathon. Throughout the season, players took on new roles and filled in where necessary while they showed impeccable sportsmanship to their competitors across the nets.
Photos by Doug Finger, Barry Gaukel and Maicey Malgrat.
Player of the Year
Adrien Holdinga
Senior, Marathon
Marathon senior Adrien Holdinga has held the No. 1 singles spot for the past five seasons with the Dolphins. “He is one of the hardest-working athletes I have ever coached,” said head coach Kevin Freeman. “He wants to get better at every practice and every game. He has spent countless hours on the court with the team and on his own.” Praised for not only his play on the courts, which included a 6-2 record this season, but also his leadership, Holdinga’s hard work paid off with a collegiate offer. Holdinga will play for the Eagles of Embry Riddle University in Daytona Beach next year.
Andrei Lehene
Freshman, Key West
Key West’s Andrei Lehene showed talent at the No. 1 spot for the Conchs this season, amassing six wins in his first year of varsity play. “His backhand and court coverage is some of the best we saw all season,” said coach Justin Martin. “He embraced the high school level and had the best freshman season we have seen at Key West in a long time.”
John Picco
Junior, Key West
With six wins to his credit this season, Key West’s John Picco was an asset in both singles and doubles play. Martin praised Picco, saying he was “encouraging and motivating his teammates all year. On the court, he has an outstanding serve and has great consistency in his groundstrokes.”
Aidan Althouse
Senior, Coral Shores
Coral Shores’ Aidan Althouse posted six wins in the No. 1 doubles spot for the Hurricanes this season, plus another three in singles. Coach Andrew Dutton awarded Althouse the team’s MVP award and said, “Aidan was a grinder with a fast serve that kept his opponents on their toes. The team leader at practices and matches, Aidian totally presents himself as a competitive player.”
Zachary Bolano
Senior, Coral Shores
Senior Zachary Bolano earned seven wins at the No. 2 doubles spot and two more in singles. Praised for his serious approach to the game and being a tough competitor, Bolano won the Most Improved Player award for the Hurricanes with extra hours on the court. “Zachary kept really busy in the off-season with tons of tennis play,” said Dutton.
Carlos Lezcano
Senior, Marathon
Marathon’s Carlos Lezcano won a pair of singles and trio of doubles matches this season at Marathon’s No. 3 spot, which is not too shabby considering he did not pick up a racket until his junior year. “His athletic ability has allowed him to learn the game rather quickly and get better with every match,” said Freeman. “Carlos is a great teammate and always did what was asked of him.”
