The GBS men’s tennis team finished the 2012 regular season with a record of 16-2, and now look forward to competing for the state title. Head coach Larry Faulkner has been pleased with his team’s perseverence this season.

“We compete very well,” Faulkner said. “We have a lot of three-set matches and seem to pull every one of them out.”

Michael Selitto, senior doubles player and captain, echoed his coach’s feelings of confidence and has high expectations for the post-season.

“Going into the state tournament, we have no doubt we can beat any team in the state for doubles,” Selitto said.

The team’s chances took a hit, however, when they lost the state’s number one singles player, junior Konrad Zieba, to suspension after he played in a tournament not sanctioned by the IHSA. Faulkner asserts that Zieba knowingly committed an offense that would likely harm the team.

“He knew that he would very likely be ineligible if he played in that tournament,” Faulkner said. “We will miss him in our line-up. He was a big part of our team.”

South’s second loss of the year came against Lake Forest May 9 with Zieba out because of the suspension.

Even without Zieba, hovever, South took second place overall in the Central Suburban League conference tournament May 14. Faulkner felt his team played well. GBS won the conference championship in doubles, and senior Luke Chalk took home the third singles title.

Following conference, Faulkner said he expected a top three finish at the 2012 Schaumburg Sectional; South bested their coach’s expectations and followed with a sectional championship May 19.

The duo of Levin and Selitto won the doubles championship, and sophomore Sam Hoogland came in second for singles en route to the victory.

Selitto felt the win was a real team effort.

“The team overall did a great job,” Selitto said. “One of our goals this year was to win sectionals and we were able to do that under some adversity without Zieba.”

Despite changes to the roster, Faulkner still has high hopes for the state tournament. Along with Selitto, Levin and Hoogland, senior Luke McCanna and junior Will Lyon qualified for State.

“Our goals as a team [are] still to finish in the top ten,” Faulkner said. “There are a lot of great teams and we’ll have to play well to be in the top ten.”

When it comes to what Selitto has control over, he has one single goal in mind for the state tournament.

“[Levin] and I want to win it,” Selitto said. “Nothing less.”

Levin and Selitto are the first seed in the State tournament, which takes place May 24.