Dunlap moving into a state tennis power as players grow the sport in the community

DUNLAP, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — In the last two years, Dunlap boys tennis has a third place and fourth place finish at state.

Now the Eagles program is starting to get recognized around the state as a high school power.

“We stress a ‘me over we’ attitude. If every player on the team is concerned with his match and not (his) own result, then 35 people cheering for you is a lot better than me, me, me,” said Dunlap head coach Pat Gornik.

The roots of the recent Dunlap success may be traced to the 2017 team. The Eagles won the Illinois High School Association 2A state title that year.

They were led by singles state champ Victor Spolidorio and that championship has seemingly lit a fire under players who’ve followed in the footsteps of that team.

“Ever since then, we haven’t had a bad state result,” said Dunlap senior Shaan Kashyup. “Recently our program has been going strong with a lot of participation.”

The Eagles are 17-7 this season and have their eyes on a return trip to state next month.

“After that (state championship), it has really taken off,” said junior Ethan McRaven. “Lots of people taking lessons from those guys who made that run to state. It’s really a big program here. It does (have to do with) that 2017 team.”

The Eagles have big numbers on their varsity and underclass teams with over 70 players on the roster. And they’re seeing big numbers in their youth tennis programs too.

Dunlap holds a “Future Eagles” night twice during the spring, inviting youngsters to come to the school and enjoy a night of instruction with the high school players.

“We’ve had upwards of 80 kids on our nine courts when our players are giving lessons and it gets them involved,” said Gornik. “That will continue to pay dividends. It comes down to building that community and our players being willing to do that too.”

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