Green Bay Southwest’s Nick Allen is Press-Gazette Media’s boys tennis player of the year. This image is a multiple-exposure, a combining of two images using Nikon D600.(Photo: Kyle Bursaw / Press-Gazette Media)


Story Highlights



  • Allen went 15-0 during the regular season and 17-2 overall.

  • He won a sectional title and was the No. 4 seed at state.

  • Over four years, Allen never lost more than five matches in a season.



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Nick Allen's tennis season at Green Bay Southwest was interrupted in the spring when he was diagnosed with mononucleosis after returning home from a family vacation in Barbados.


It was his senior year, and Allen knew he only had one more chance at accomplishing his goals.


So, when the doctor told him he'd have to sit out at least two weeks before he returned to the court, Allen didn't view it as an option. He only had played two matches up to that point and had to make sure he got enough in before the Fox River Classic Conference tournament.


"I said screw the doc, and I actually played a week later," said Allen, who is the Press-Gazette Media's boys tennis player of the year.


Allen wasn't 100 percent when he returned. He felt slower on the court and was taking bigger breaths in between points. Even when he qualified for the WIAA Division 1 state tournament, he felt his game was strong but his fitness was still behind.


But he still dominated.


Allen went 15-0 during the regular season and 17-2 overall, won a sectional title and earned the No. 4 seed at state.


After receiving a bye in the first round, Allen won matches against West Bend West's Matt Zurowski and Marquette University's Alex Rokosz before losing a third-set tiebreaker to Danny Coran of Mequon Homestead in the quarterfinals.


Allen didn't view his trip to state as a success, since he was hoping for a top three finish. But others were impressed by him throughout the year.


"Number one, he was physically really strong," Green Bay Preble coach Randy Nelson said. "He had a weapon in his forehand. I mean, he could flat out rip it and put other players on the defense and get a weaker shot back. And then he could put the ball away."


Allen finished his career at Southwest with 90 wins and never lost more than five matches in a season. He qualified for state all four years, including the season in which he won a career-high 26 matches and finished fourth at state as a sophomore.


"I'm very proud," Allen said. "I can't just hang my head on the way I finished my senior year. I look back at the four years and everything I accomplished, I had a very good career."


Allen will attend the University of Wisconsin this fall, so his competitive tennis career likely is over. That doesn't mean he will stop playing the game.


"Oh, I could never give up the game," Allen said. "I've played it for so long. It's been so much of my life. I will always play."


— svenci@pressgazettemedia.com and follow him on Twitter @scottvenci


ALL-AREA BOYS TENNIS TEAM


Singles


Nick Allen, sr., Green Bay Southwest: Earned the No. 4 seed at the WIAA Division 1 state tournament, where he finished fifth overall. Went 17-2, won a sectional championship and was a first-team pick in the Fox River Classic Conference.


Jack Dykema, jr., West De Pere: Went 32-4 and finished fourth at the Division 2 state tournament. Won a sectional championship.


Sam Wisneski, jr., Ashwaubenon: Went 20-4 and finished third at sectionals while qualifying for the D1 state tournament.


Syon Verma, so., Green Bay Southwest: Went 22-9 playing at both No. 1 and No. 2 singles throughout the season. Earned a trip to D1 state as a special qualifier.


Abrar Mian, jr., Ashwaubenon: Qualified for the D1 state tournament and finished 19-9. Won a sectional title in Flight 2.


Doubles


Nick Williams, sr., and Nate Calawerts, sr., Green Bay Notre Dame: Top doubles team in the area. Went 28-4 and finished runner-up at Division 2 state while helping to lead the Tritons to team state. Won a sectional championship and had no losses to any team in Northeastern Wisconsin. Played three seasons together and went 78-8.


Zach Janssen, so., and Charlie Parish, so, Green Bay Notre Dame: Went 30-3 and finished fifth at Division 2 state. Also won their match against University School of Milwaukee at team state.


Andrew Stoman, sr., and Brennan Dougherty, sr., Green Bay Preble: Finished 20-6 and qualified for Division 1 state. Had a runner-up finish at sectionals.


Honorable mention


Singles: Harry Dykema, fr., West De Pere


Doubles: Brad Tschoeke, jr., and Anders Wikum, fr., Ashwaubenon; Bennett Herson-Roeser, sr., and Jake Neuville, sr., De Pere.


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