JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Seven months a year, William Chaves focuses on a packed tennis schedule and schoolwork.
When high school tennis season rolls around, Chaves, now a two-time Varsity 4 All-News4JAX boys tennis player of the year from Nease, gets a little bit of a moment to exhale and have fun.
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And this year, there was a lot of it.
“It wasn’t any added pressure. I think it was just go out there and have fun,” Chaves said. “I mean, it’s really important to soak it in. You know, it’s only four years you get this. So just each minute you got to cherish it. Like once you know you only have one year left, you kind of learn to cherish a lot more. So yeah, I think all the team dinners, all the car rides, it’s special.”
The expectations were always there for Chaves and doubles partner Charlie Neal, the reigning state champions. As long as Nease played like it was accustomed to playing, the tennis would take care of itself.
“We just went on the court like we didn’t really think about last year or what we could do,” Chaves said. We just kind of focused on each match. And especially in doubles. We just kind of tried to be a team and yeah, it worked out.”
There were plenty of moments that equated to fun off the court. Chaves said teammate Aleks Gavrancic helped keep things light and humorous. Freshman Neil Alami, who went 14-3 overall, was a breath of fresh air and made everyone smile and laugh, Chaves said.
Varsity 4 All-News4JAX boys tennis players of the year
| Year | Player | School |
|---|---|---|
| 2026 | William Chaves | Nease |
| 2025 | William Chaves | Nease |
| 2024 | Zach Hyatt | Fleming Island |
| 2023 | Chase Healey | Christ’s Church Academy |
| 2022 | Chase Healey | Christ’s Church Academy |
| 2021 | Chase Healey | Christ’s Church Academy |
| 2020 | N/A | Canceled, Covid-19 |
The Panthers tried to stay relaxed and enjoy the ride.
Chaves powered to a 6-2 record at the No. 1 singles spot, but his real strength came at the top doubles line with Neal. They lost just once in the regular season to Lake Nona’s Minato Koido and Juan Orta, then barreled through the rest of the season. Chaves and Neal won the individual doubles portion of the state championship before falling in the overall doubles final.
“We get looser. I feel like seven months of the year we’re not together or like we’re kind of separated,” Chaves said. “But during these few months or weeks, we get really close. So, it’s cool to see.”
Varsity 4 All-News4JAX boys tennis team
Player, school, class, notable
William Chaves, Nease, Jr.
Now a two-time Varsity 4 All-News4JAX player of the year. Went 19-3 at No. 1 singles and doubles. Three-time All-News4JAX selection.
Jay Deering, Stanton, Jr.
Dominant season in singles and doubles. Unbeaten until quarterfinals of Class 2A state tournament.
Zach Hyatt, Fleming Island, Jr.
Three-time All-News4JAX selection and the player of the year as a freshman. Went 14-2 at No. 1 singles and doubles spots.
Davis Miller, Ponte Vedra, So.
Went 24-7 in Nos. 1 and 2 singles and doubles. Only loss to local player in singles came to first-teamer Daniel Patsula.
Charles Neal, Nease, Jr.
Like teammate Chaves, dominant this season with a 22-2 record in singles and doubles en route to the overall double championship match.
Daniel Patsula, Matanzas, So.
Dominant season for rising star. Finished 25-3 overall in singles and doubles. Lost in No. 1 singles finals in Class 3A state meet.
Second team
Player, school, class
Henry Deering, Stanton, Fr.
Went 15-1 in the regular season and reached state tournament in doubles.
Ben Gredenhag, Bishop Kenny, So.
Went 16-1 in the regular season and reached the Class 2A state tournament.
Ethan Kent, St. Johns Country Day, Fr.
Unbeaten at top singles spot (13-0) and 22-4 overall. Second-team selection last year after a 19-0 run that ended in the state tournament.
Dillon Landau, Ponte Vedra, So.
Combined 25-9 with only local losses in singles coming to first-teamers Deering and Patsula.
Tristan Shaw, Tocoi Creek, Jr.
Went 19-8 and claimed doubles district championship before running aground to powerhouse Spruce Creek in regionals.
Michael Zhang, Bolles, Sr.
Went 12-7 playing both the Nos. 1 and 2 slots in singles and doubles and helped lead Bulldogs into Class 2A state tournament.
Honorable mention
Player, school, class
Neil Alami, Nease, Fr.
Max Berzsenyl, Wolfson, Jr.
Brady Bratic, St. Augustine, Fr.
Mitchell Cornett, Beachside, Sr.
Kesl Cumpstone, Fleming Island, Sr.
Ioannis Economidis, Bolles, Sr.
Owen Huffman, Bartram Trail, Sr.
Shane Looney, Oakleaf, Fr.
Jack Miller, Wolfson, Sr.
Austin Miskelly, Nease, Jr.
Will Misner, Episcopal, Jr.
Michael Pappalardo, Bishop Kenny, Sr.
Michael Schramm, Ponte Vedra, So.
Stefan Sisljagic, Atlantic Coast, Jr.
Marko Stevanovic, Atlantic Coast, Jr.
Adam Stochel, Matanzas, Sr.
William Walker, Ridgeview, Fr.
Hudson Wells, Ponte Vedra, Fr.
Brayden Woods, Fletcher, Jr.