Weather Stymies Lemont Tennis Showdown

Lemont boys tennis coach Jon DeGuzman had the ultimate look of resignation as the anointed time for the Indians’ critical showdown with Oak Forest neared.

“The courts aren’t really safe to play on right now,” DeGuzman said.

Within minutes, after consulting with the Oak Forest coaching staff, the decision was official: the inclement weather that has dogged Chicagoland in recent weeks had claimed yet another outdoor spring sport.

“I really wanted to get the match in,” DeGuzman said. “Oak Forest is our biggest (South Suburban Blue) rival.”

With the moisture on the courts becoming increasingly untenable, the coaches’ joint decision to postpone the match was a no-brainer.

“We’re not sure if (the courts) can be good for the safety of everyone,” DeGuzman said.

With consecutive league victories over Thornton-Fractional North, Bremen and Hillcrest to start the season, the Indians remain unblemished in the league in search of a sixth straight conference championship.

Junior No. 1 singles player Jon Pacheco and sophomore second-rated standout Alex Vasoc have anchored Lemont all season.

“Of the matches we have been able to get in, we’re playing very well,” DeGuzman said of the Indians’ 7-5 overall mark against murderous non-conference competition.

Pacheco and Vasic have identical 11-4 records this season.

The Lemont duo has the unenviable task of providing the leadership that senior state qualifier Nick Drez did last season for the squad.

The Indians’ top doubles tandem, junior Josh Young and sophomore Jake Smagacz, help solidify their strengths as a dual-meet team.

“They are our six best players,” DeGuzman said.

Lemont travels to Frankfort on Saturday morning to test their collective talents at the Lincoln-Way East Invitational.