Prep tennis: Three story lines

THREE STORY LINES

1. The rivalry grows: In 2006, Buffalo's Michael Sicora beat Mounds View's Wyatt McCoy, who was then in seventh grade, in an epic three-set match in the Class 2A quarterfinals. Sicora, then a sophomore, went on to win the singles title. Last year, McCoy beat Sicora in three sets in the semifinals and went on to win the championship. Barring an upset, a third meeting this year should be great.

2. Rochester renaissance: Mayo used its strong doubles play to upset Mounds View 4-3 for the Class 2A team championship and become the first non-metro team since Austin in 1982 to win the large-school championship (St. Cloud Tech won in 1983 and 1985 when the tournament briefly went back to one class). The Spartans return three of their top four singles players. A repeat is not out of the question.

3. Youth is served: McCoy is the leading light in a group of young up-and-coming players that should keep tennis exciting for the next few years. Among other youngsters of note are Edina's Hamish Weerasinghe (sophomore), Burnsville's Mya Smith-Dennis (sophomore), Mounds View's Max Schaper (freshman), Henry Sibley's Matt Schull (eighth grade), Forest Lake's Dusty Boyer (eighth) and Elk River's Mitchell Brandell (eighth).

FIVE PLAYERS TO WATCH

1. Wyatt McCoy, Mounds View, fr.: After becoming the first eighth-grade boy to win a state singles title, McCoy has a chance to become the best prep player in state history.

2. Michael Sicora, Buffalo, sr.: The 2006 Class 2A singles champ lost to McCoy in the semifinals last year but beat him in the finals of the Lifetime Fitness Jr. Open in January.

3. Paul Swanson, Blaine, sr.: Last year's Class 2A runner-up actually beat McCoy in the Section 4 semifinals last year before falling to him in the state championship match.

4. Hamish Weerasinghe, Edina, so.: Played No. 3 singles for the Hornets last year but might have been their best player by state tournament time.

5. Brian McCarthy, Benilde-St. Margaret's, sr.: Increased his profile and improved his game by playing a largely national junior schedule.

Keep an eye on: Kent Nichols, Elk River, sr.; Justin Haag, Eden Prairie, sr.; David Croonquist, Mounds View, sr.; Steven Skanse, Eden Prairie, sr.; Scott Sundstrom, Centennial, sr.; Phillip Jackley, Blake, jr.; John Wight, St. Paul Academy, sr.; Connor Hart, Mounds Park Academy, jr.; Nelson Iginla, Minneapolis South, sr.; Noah Swiler, Edina, jr.; Mya Smith-Dennis, Burnsville, so.

FIVE TEAMS TO WATCH

1. Mounds View: Can the Mustangs bounce back after losing in the Class 2A finals last year? The talent (Wyatt McCoy, David Croonquist) is there, but do they have enough depth?

2. Edina: The Hornets lost their Nos. 1 and 2 singles players but still has the best singles lineup in the metro with Weerasinghe, Chris Kuna and Noah Swiler.

3. Eden Prairie: The Eagles will benefit from internal competition for their top three singles positions between Justin Haag, Michael Sinha and Steven Skanse.

4. Elk River: The Elks were undefeated until the state tournament last year and return the majority of their lineup.

5. Stillwater: A solid mix of veterans and youth has the Ponies on the verge of challenging Mounds View in the Suburban East.

Keep an eye on: Eagan, St. Paul Academy (Class 1A), Centennial, Minnetonka, Henry Sibley, Mounds Park Academy (1A), Hopkins.

JIM PAULSEN