1996 BOYS’ TENNIS PREVIEW : SIX TEAMS TO WATCH : LOARA

Coach: Gary Cleaveland (eighth year).

1995: 22-2, 10-0 in the Empire League; lost in the second round of the Southern Section Division II playoffs to Sunny Hills.

Key returners: Bryan Hollenbeck, No. 2 singles, Sr.; Randy Kato, No. 1 doubles, first-team all-league, Sr.; Michael Lee, No. 1 doubles, first-team all-league, Jr.; James Pai, No. 1 singles, league singles champion, Sr.

Key newcomers: Javier Azpetia, No. 4 singles, So.; Mark Breuninger, No. 2 doubles, So.; Mark Spykerman, No. 3 singles, was on swimming team last year, Jr.

Outlook: Cleaveland tried to downplay his team’s chances by picking them to finish third in the Empire League. But he returns the league’s best singles player--Pai--and an improving serve and volleyer in Hollenbeck. Spykerman adds depth and Kato is an experienced doubles player. The question mark could be in doubles, where Cleaveland is going with mainly inexperienced players. Loara probably doesn’t have enough talent to win the Division II title, but the Saxons could advance past the second round of the playoffs.