GENEVA -- When the Class AA West Aurora Boys Tennis Sectional gets started, Batavia's No. 1 doubles team of Colin Bohr and Jim White will be trying to reverse their past struggles in sectional meets.
It is their first year playing together, but each has their own horror story when it comes to sectional play.
Take White, whom coach Bob Kummer calls one of the best doubles players in school history. Every year he's played in a sectional meet, he's lost in the first round.
"I haven't had very good luck at sectionals," White said. "You never know what can happen at sectionals. Hopefully this is the year we can break through."
Bohr has had more success, but his failures may be even more heart-wrenching. The last two years, he's been one set away from advancing to the state meet in the second round, and he lost both times in three sets.
"I really want it this year," Bohr said. "I think Jimmy and I can pull it off. This is the best team I've been a part of going into sectionals, so we're definitely not satisfied with just conference."
The numbers back Bohr up. They roll into sectionals with a Western Sun Conference championship in hand at No. 1 doubles and a 20-3 record. They will be the No. 3 seed at sectionals, and if that holds up, the dream of reaching the state meet would be achieved.
"I really did expect this," Kummer said of the team's success. "They compliment each other so well. I think they know what they need to do. It's up to them."
After last season, White's No. 1 doubles partner, Jordan Broadway, decided to make a run at the No. 1 singles slot, a position he has held all season.
Bohr's partner at No. 2 doubles, Austin Stark, graduated. White has played doubles all four years of high school and Bohr the last three, and they have been friends since middle school. The pairing was an easy one.
"Jimmy has more experience at No. 1 doubles, but we have good chemistry together knowing each other growing up in middle school," Bohr said. "We're able to calm each other down during matches. I think the chemistry is there to relax and play the good tennis that we need to play."
The hurdle for White is winning that first match. Once that happens, the duo should be able to take a deep breath and cap off their senior years the best way possible: With a trip to state.
"If we get just one, it will be nice to know that I can do that," White said. "We know that we're a good team and we can accomplish big things. We definitely want to get to state this year. That would be great for us."
Boys Tennis Sectionals
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