After a Division II state semifinals showing a year ago, Nogales’ boys tennis team appears to be back in the postseason mix, with less than a month to play.
The Apaches (7-2) are anchored by their returning No. 1 doubles duo of Alexis Ton and Alan Soto-Hopkins.
Ton, in his first year as the team’s top singles player, has the unenviable task of trying to replace his brother Francisco, who reached the singles state quarterfinals three times and is now playing with Pima College.
Soto-Hopkins is a steadying force in his fourth year of varsity play and already has three years of postseason doubles play under his belt.
Together, the three-year pair has made back-to-back quarterfinals appearances and accumulated a record of 6-2 in postseason play.
“That first year they just jelled,” Nogales coach Rudy Molera said.
“They went all the way to the quarterfinals, so we’ve kept them together. They complement each other’s games. They’ve had their ups and downs, but for the most part they’re a very consistent group in doubles, and in singles they’re tough to beat, too. The people that have beat them are really good players.”
The Apaches’ only losses this season have come courtesy of defending state champion Catalina Foothills and Salpointe Catholic, last year’s state runner-up. The two powers are a combined 15-1 this season.
Having already dropped doubles matches against Foothills, Salpointe and Ironwood Ridge, the 4-3 junior-senior duo of Ton and Soto-Hopkins knows there is still plenty of work to be done.
The Star recently caught up with the two to find out more. Here’s what they had to say:
Alexis Ton
Year: Junior
Height: 5 feet, 10 inches
Singles record: 5-3
Favorite pro player: Rafael Nadal, because of his forehand, Ton said.
The partnership: “We’ve been practicing teamwork. He has a really good serve; other players can barely return it and then I finish it.”
Coach’s take: “He has the strongest forehand of any of the players I’ve ever had. Now he’s more consistent. Last year he battled with keeping the ball in play. He hit the ball a little too hard sometimes. He’s learned to be more patient and wait for the right time.”
Alan Soto-Hopkins
Year: Senior
Height: 6 feet
Singles record: 5-3
Favorite pro player: Roger Federer. “He’s won so many grand slams and he’s just a genius at playing tennis.”
The partnership: “Our communication has improved from the first year. We know each other better now, so we know what the other is going to do.”
Coach’s take: “He is a real academic kid. He’s really good and patient about working players; he reminds me of someone playing chess. He’s not overpowering, but he plays a real smart tennis match where he’s going to look for your weaknesses and exploit you.”
