Bloomfield Hills tennis player Brad Silverman
About 70 hopefuls braved the warm weather to try out for the Bloomfield Hills tennis team this afternoon.
The Black Hawks are loaded. And mad.
Last year’s team tied with Novi for the Division 1 team title. That didn’t sit well with senior Brad Silverman, who is sliding from No. 4 singles to No. 1 doubles with fellow senior Alex Ross this season.
“It was very tough,’’ Silverman said. “We didn’t feel like we won. We were holding up the trophy, and it didn’t feel good. We’re coming back this year really hoping to get a state title.’’
It’s possible. The Black Hawks, Ann Arbor Huron, Birmingham Brother Rice, Novi and Troy seem to be the preseason favorites.
Tommy Herb, a hard-hitting freshman from New Jersey, has all but locked down the No. 4 singles spot for Bloomfield Hills and has the look of a future champion.
“He’s really good,’’ Silverman said. “He’s about 6-2, 6-3 and he can really hit the ball. He’s going to help us.’’
Senior Josh Mukherjee didn’t make today’s practice because he’s in India. He’ll likely play at No. 1 singles.
Sophomore Andrew Zhang is in Kalamazoo at Super Nationals, where he pulled off an upset of a higher-seeded player earlier in the day, according to Bloomfield Hills coach Greg Burks. He’s slotted to start the season at No. 2 singles.
Junior Constantin Hemmrich is a defending champion and is at No. 3 singles.
“We relied on our singles all season long last year, but our doubles helped us get through big-time at states,’’ Burks said.
Silverman and Ross are the No. 1 doubles team. Sophomore twins Cade and Sebastian Burman are slotted at No. 2 doubles.
“They get into arguments sometimes, but they should be all right,’’ Burks said.
At No. 3 doubles are juniors Vikramjit Chakrabortty and Chaz Blamo. Rounding out the doubles at No. 4 are Alex Walkon and Kyle Peres, both juniors.
“We had a good season going into states,’’ said Ross, who wore a hoodie in the heat today. “We weren’t really expecting much at states. We knew we were going to be a top-five team. To tie Novi was great. It was a great experience for the team. We now have the confidence to win it outright this year.
“I’ve been in Michigan for three years, on this team for three years, and this is the best group of guys we’ve had, talentwise, teamwise and just as a whole team. I love every guy on this team.”