By Pete Borello

Never mind that the Los Altos High boys tennis team is without its two best singles players from a year ago.

Eagles coach Cuong Duong contends this season’s squad is deeper and better than its predecessor, which reached the Central Coast Section Division II semifinals.

Although top player Jon Wong graduated and No. 2 player Eddie Kane moved to Hawaii, Duong has confidence in his team’s competence.

“We’re a deep team,” the eighth-year coach said. “The doubles are pretty solid and Dan is really solid at No. 1.”

That would be Dan Duong, the coach’s nephew. The junior, a transfer from Fremont High in Sunnyvale, ranks 24th among Northern California USTA players 18 and under.

“He’s a very aggressive player,” the coach said of his nephew. “His strength is his power and ability to hit the heavy spin ball, which is hard to do.”

The younger Duong hasn’t been able to show off these skills yet, at least not in match play, because he’s been sidelined with a shoulder injury. The coach expects him back on the court this week.

In the meantime, coach Duong has had to juggle the lineup, with mixed results. The Eagles entered this week with a 2-3 overall record. They are off to a 0-2 start in SCVAL De Anza Division play after losses to Palo Alto and Los Gatos last week.

Despite the slow start, coach Duong expects Los Altos to finish near the top of the always-arduous De Anza Division.

“I’ll be happy if we finish in the top four and make CCS,” he said. “I think we can even get top three.”

Duong’s enthusiasm has much to do with not only depth, but all the experience the Eagles possess. The roster boasts 10 returning players, including eight starters.

This includes seniors Mark Schopmeyer and Mike Sherbakov, who play No. 2 and 3 singles, respectively. Schopmeyer “is getting a lot better,” the coach said, and Sherbakov “is a really tough player who finds a way to win.”

Sophomore Bryce Hoffman, who played doubles last season, is at No. 4 singles — at least for now. Coach Duong pointed out that the fourth spot is vulnerable to changes, with players challenging for it on a weekly basis.

There should be no such change at No. 1 doubles, where seniors Chuck Hwong and Steven Wong once again form a formidable team. The coach expects them to be among the division’s best tandems, just like last year.

The teams in the second and third slots are interchangeable, according to coach Duong, depending on match-ups. One duo features Nathan Fenner and freshman Azadan Bauback; the other comprises junior Zach Jones and sophomore Ryan Louie.

Los Altos is scheduled to play a 3:30 p.m. De Anza Division match at Lynbrook on Thursday.

Spartans start 2-0

Mountain View High opened its SCVAL El Camino Division season with a pair of wins last week.

The Spartans followed a 4-3 home win over Milpitas March 4 with a 5-2 victory at Homestead last Thursday.

Mountain View (2-1 overall) swept the doubles’ side both days. The top tandem, made up of John Doty and Patrick McLennen, captured both its matches in straight sets.