Warriors try to add to tradition

By Liz Keller

Published: May 23, 2008

The Western Albemarle boys tennis team is confident, and with good reason.

The Warriors coasted through the Jefferson District and carry an unbeaten record (19-0) into the Region II finals, which will be held today at Western Albemarle.

In fact, Western — the defending Group AA champion — has won 29 straight games after compiling a 20-2 record last season.

But perhaps the biggest reason for the Crozet team’s confidence is its core group of seniors. Gabe Kosowitz, Jamie Thomas, Brennan Dougherty, Ben Fitts and Mitch Bowser are all four-year players who anchor the Warriors.

“After winning states, it adds a different level,” said Thomas, a co-captain. “We’re hungry to win again, but it’s not like we haven’t won before. I think what’s special about this is, last year we won states, but this year, we want go undefeated, and we’ve gotten that goal so far. I think that’s been one of the main driving forces.”

The Warriors are well on their way to achieving that goal, after dispatching Loudoun County 5-2 in the region semifinals Thursday.

Western will host Briar Woods (18-1), which knocked off Monticello 5-0 in the semifinals, today at noon for the championship.

But at the beginning of the season, the team wasn’t sure it’d get to this point.

“One thing we were concerned about this year is if the team would be as good as last year and peak at the right time. We had our sights set very high,” said Fitts. “We didn’t realize it, but the next thing we knew, we were playing really well, and now we’re starting to feel like this is going to be the same team again — just much better.

“We’re still undefeated and still focusing on the ultimate goal, but at the same time focusing on each match and not getting ahead of ourselves. It’s been a fun ride.”

The Warriors are not strangers to the pressures of the postseason after their playoff run last season. That experience, combined with a laid-back mentality, has been critical this year.

“I think the key is just having fun and relaxing but at the same time trying to stay focused,” said Kosowitz, a co-captain. “A lot of us have a lot of tennis experience, so it’s been about being mentally focused for each match. We have such a mix of people that just the whole environment is really relaxed. That’s the thing we probably do the best.”

It also doesn’t hurt that the team is solid from top to bottom in both singles and doubles. Each player has carved out a niche and fulfills his role admirably.

Kosowitz plays No. 2 singles, Fitts plays No. 1 doubles with Joey Manilla, Dougherty is the No. 6 singles player and Thomas plays No. 3 singles and teams with Kosowitz in doubles.

Bowser played third doubles last season and was a major factor in Western’s state title run. This year, he played fourth doubles but was nonetheless a vital component of the team.

“That just goes to show you the depth of the team,” said Western Albemarle coach Charles Ix.

Added Fitts: “Everybody brings their piece to the table, and that’s the great thing about this team, is that it really is a team effort. We all come out and have good practices every day, we’re all good competitors for each other and our strengths really come out in the bottom of the lineup. When we can get wins at those lower spots, that’s really where we excel.”

More important than being teammates is the bond the seniors have formed off the court.

“We’re a group of people that get along really well,” said Dougherty. “We’re all friends outside of the tennis team, and we all want to play hard for each other.”

And that is a fact not lost on Ix, who has been with this group of players since he came to Western three years ago and undoubtedly holds a special fondness for them.

“These guys add stability to the team. They’re a tight group and I will miss them when they’re gone,” said Ix, who earned district coach of the year honors for the third straight year. “They set a good example for everyone else and have left a good legacy here.”

And they can only add to it.