The start of the 2026 high school tennis season brings a mixture of emotions for Patagonia Union High School coach David Clovesko-Wharton.
The Lobos veteran coach has high hopes as he watches over the preseason practice of his six-player boys team, featuring four returning players.
“We got a great turnout,” Clovesko-Wharton said. “I think we have our best chance in a while.”
The state of the girls team yields the opposite reaction. “It saddens my heart,” he said. “We just couldn’t field a team this year.”
Patagonia managed to compete with a two-player girls team last year, but only junior Isela Cervantes returns, and with no newcomers to join her, the season had to be scrapped, though Cervantes is still getting practice reps with the boys team.
“She’s just being as accepting and amazing about it as you could imagine,” Clovesko-Wharton said. “She’s like, ‘I just want to play, I want to stay in shape, I want to learn, I want to stay on the team.’”
The boys roster is full, and it’s led by seniors Jaxon Yslava and Skylar Sanchez. Also returning are juniors Alex Ruskowitz and Louis Reyes. They’re joined by two newcomers: senior Lenin Albarran and sophomore Jorge Sotello.
Yslava is in his third season as the Lobos’ top singles player, but Sanchez usurped the top ranking for part of last season.
“Jaxon is our emotional and strategic leader,” Clovesko-Wharton said. “He’s got all the shots, but Skylar did hold the No. 1 position for about half of last season.”
Clovesko-Wharton said preparations have been greatly aided by a majority of the team participating in off-season workouts. “One or two times a week, it really kept them tuned up,” he said.
The Lobos hosted Duncan on Monday in their opening match, and they travel to Duncan on Saturday for the HT Clothier Invitational. Seven of their 11 regular season matches will be played on their home court.
“I’m hoping we get a couple of individuals to state this year,” Clovesko-Wharton said. “For our three seniors, I want them to just enjoy the year and show some mentorship throughout. We’ve got some skill this year.”
SCHEDULE OF GAMES
March 7 – HT Clothier Invitational, at Duncan
March 12 – at Duncan, 3:30 p.m.
March 13 – at Pima, 3:30 p.m.
March 18 – The Gregory School, 3:30 p.m.
March 26 – Andrada Polytechnic, 3:30 p.m.
March 31 – at St. Augustine, 3:30 p.m.
April 2 – St. David, 3:30 p.m.
April 7 – at Morenci, 3:30 p.m.
April 9 – Desert Christian, 3:30 p.m.
April 13 – Benson, 2 p.m.
April 16 – Tombstone, 2 p.m.