By Adam Carrington

acarrington@cherokeetribune.com

Etowah coach Bob DeCan describes the 2010 tennis season as both successful and disappointing.

What the Eagles might have done had No. 2 singles player Vincent Delise been 100 percent healthy is still under debate. Delise suffered a lower back injury at the beginning of the season, and it impacted his performance, despite finishing with an impressive 10-2 individual record.

But one of Delise's two losses this season may have been more painful than the injury itself. Etowah played Walton in the second round of the Class AAAAA state tournament and the match came down to Delise's match against Elliott Orkin. He won the first set and led 5-2 in the second before Orkin rallied to beat Delise in three, and it appeared that Delise's back injury was taking effect during the match.

The Eagles were arguably too talented to take a second round exit but their other successes can't be overlooked.

DeCan, who was named Cherokee Tribune Boys Tennis Coach of the Year for the 2010 season, led them to their fifth straight Region 5AAAAA title, winning 3-2 marathon over No. 7-ranked North Cobb in the process and have won at least one post season match for the last seven seasons.

"We felt if we could get by Walton, we would cruise to the finals and have a real shot at state champ Alpharetta," DeCan said. "Obviously, the Walton match was disappointing."

"Yes, (Delise's injury) impacted his play all season, and I give him credit for fighting through the injury. A healthy Vincent, and we may be state champs."

However, Delise perseverance while playing with the injury is probably the reason Etowah has its fifth straight champion. Etowah trailed 2-0 to North Cobb in the final before Delise played through his pain to grind out a three-setter over Aaron Baker and got help from both doubles teams, who both won in straight sets.

DeCan's biggest offseason obstacle was having to replace Kevin Baginski and Paul Birdsong at No. 1 doubles. Instead of promoting No. 2 doubles standouts Jack Hynes and Ben Cornelius to the position, DeCan opted to Will Coons and Jack Welsh at No. 1 because of Welsh's powerful serve and Coons' doubles expertise.

"I felt it was a strong (No. 1 doubles) combo, and it worked out well," DeCan said.

It proved to be the right choice. Coons and Welsh finished 8-2 as a tandem and Cornelius and Hynes were undefeated with an 11-0 record with four of those wins coming at No. 1 doubles.

Delise, Coons and Welsh are components DeCan will build on in preparing for next season but he will lose Hynes and Cornelius as well as No. 1 singles standout Garrison LaDuca, who will be playing at Samford next season.