Columbus North’s Hank Lin serves at No. 1 singles throughout the semistate Oct. 8, 2023 at Heart Grove.
The Republic file photograph
Coming off a state runner-up end, Columbus North will look to proceed its run as one of many state’s elite boys tennis applications. Columbus East, in the meantime, will attempt to make up some floor below new coach Adam Ulrich.
Here’s a take a look at these and different space boys tennis groups heading into the 2024 season:
Columbus North
The Bull Canines went 24-2 and got here up one level wanting a state title with a 3-2 loss to Carmel within the championship match. The next week, then-junior Hank Lin was runner-up within the State Singles Finals.
“He performed a whole lot of tennis this summer season and is hitting the ball very properly,” North coach Kendal Hammel mentioned. “He needs to be one of many prime favored guys to win the state this 12 months.”
Senior Parth Shah performed No. 2 singles final season and certain might be there once more this fall. Junior Teddy Littrell performed some No. 3 singles, and is battling for that spot with junior Vince Sasse.
Seniors Michael Crossman and Yoki Murayabashi possible will transfer up from No. 2 doubles to No. 1 doubles. Littrell, Sasse, junior Jace Branham and sophomore Sashu Sabapathy are vying for the at No. 2 doubles spots.
“The blokes performed a whole lot of tennis on the offseason,” Hammel mentioned. “A few of them didn’t play sufficient, although. Proper now, we’re struggling just a bit bit. We’ve had a number of accidents. We’re simply attempting to get by it proper now.”
North will as soon as once more look to return to the state event.
“We may have a superb stable crew,” Hammel mentioned. “We’re not going to be pretty much as good as final 12 months’s crew for positive. Our objective clearly can be to get again to the state. It will likely be a bit more durable this 12 months for us. We simply don’t have the depth this 12 months.”
Columbus East
Ulrich takes over the Olympians program from Matt Malinsky. Ulrich coached the East women tennis crew this spring and faces an identical scenario with the boys.
“We’re rebuilding,” Ulrich mentioned. “We now have a whole lot of new gamers. We’re nonetheless pretty younger.”
Columbus East’s Tyler Ernst hits a shot in a No. 3 singles tennis match in opposition to Columbus North Aug. 22, 2023 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photograph
Senior Tyler Ernst, who performed No. 2 and three singles, will transfer as much as No. 1 singles. Sophomore Trevor Ernst strikes from No. 2 doubles to No. 1 doubles or No. 2 or 3 singles. Senior Owen Kirk, who performed No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles, strikes to No. 2 singles or No. 1 doubles.
Sophomore Micah Wettschurack will step in at No. 1 doubles or No. 2 or 3 singles. Sophomore newcomer Michael Reed and freshman Will Emmrick might play No. 3 singles or No. 2 doubles. Freshmen Cooper Henry and Carson Hartsook might play No. 2 doubles
Sophomore newcomer Jonas Newell and freshman Hadley McQueary will present depth.
East had one among its greatest seasons lately final 12 months, going 7-16.
“Our objective is to at the least match the place we had been final 12 months and never take any backward steps,” Ulrich mentioned. “A few of the guys are higher than what they had been final 12 months, in order that’s a plus. I feel we’re nonetheless going to be aggressive. We’re going to shock some folks. The boys are working actually arduous to make a reputation for East tennis.”
Hauser
The Jets have an enormous crew with 17 gamers, together with six starters from a crew that went 6-6.
“We now have the most important crew we’ve had in 5 – 6 years,” Hauser coach Andy Kilps mentioned. “We now have a whole lot of guys out, so I’m fairly glad about that. Final 12 months, we began a junior excessive program, and we’re getting it constructed up a bit bit extra with a number of the youthful guys.”
Senior Hunter Pappano strikes up from No. 2 singles to No. 1 singles, and junior Kam Blair strikes from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 singles. Senior Colten Hatton returns at No. 3 singles.
Senior Jentzen Bechtel is again at No. 1 doubles and can crew along with his brother, sophomore Joel Bechtel. Senior Jayden Blair and junior RJ Foster return at No. 2 doubles.
“We’re trying to have one among our greatest years in a number of years, I’m hoping,” Kilps mentioned. “We’re on the upswing right here a bit bit.”
Jennings County
The Panthers will look to enhance on final 12 months’s 3-15 report.
Junior Parker Bales returns at No. 1 singles. Freshman Luke Napier steps in at No. 2 singles, and junior Ty Zohrlaut strikes from No. 1 doubles to No. 3 singles.
Senior Cole Skinner, who performed No. 2 doubles, and junior Brady Sentz will play at No. 1 doubles. Freshman Asher Morin and junior Nolan Sochacki will begin the season at No. 2 doubles.
“The freshmen we have now are good,” Jennings coach Deron Brown mentioned. “I feel we’ll be fairly stable in singles. Subsequent 12 months undoubtedly might be a greater 12 months, however we’re undoubtedly not going to surrender on this 12 months.”
Brown County
The Eagles as soon as once more hope to be within the combine for a Western Indiana Convention title with 4 returning varsity gamers.
Senior Owen East strikes up from No. 2 singles to No. 1 singles. Sophomore Robert Webb and freshmen Audric Dunn and Jack Keener are battling for the Nos 2 and three singles spots.
Senior Trevor Shields and junior Jax Burt possible might be at No. 1 doubles, though Burt additionally might play No. 2 singles. Freshmen Logan Peck and Jack Anderson might step in at No. 2 doubles.
“Our freshmen may have a chance to play a whole lot of tennis this season, and I totally count on them to get higher every match,” Brown County coach Kevin Roush mentioned. “Our crew has proven that they’re prepared to hold the torch that has been handed down over the seasons and reside as much as the expectations which were the hallmark of a Brown County tennis participant. This crew will play arduous and acquire beneficial expertise from every likelihood that they step on the courtroom.”
Edinburgh
Pete Khensouri is again for his twenty sixth 12 months on the Lancers coach, and he’ll attempt to enhance on a 1-13 season.
Junior Bailey Totten strikes from No. 2 to No. 1 singles, and sophomore Matt Burton strikes from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 singles. Freshman Brinnyn Moss, junior Jayson Music (who performed No. 1 doubles) or sophomore Braden Cox (who performed No. 2 doubles) are battling at No. 3 singles.
Senior newcomer Rylan Londeree and junior Braylon Lenkner, who performed No. 3 singles, might be at No. 1 doubles. Junior Teddy Crawhorn returns at No. 2 doubles, and can crew with Music or Cox.
“They’re actually younger, however I’m form of huge on these freshmen,” Khensouri mentioned. “We’re simply attempting to enhance.”
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars return 5 starters from a crew that went 13-10.
Junior Jack Stuckwisch will transfer up from No. 2 singles to No. 1 singles. Sophomore Luke Schepman, who performed principally No. 2 doubles, possible might be at No. 2 singles. Junior Brody Brown or freshman Ross Bevers will play No. 3 singles.
Senior Nathan Finke and junior Jonathon Naewedde return at No. 1 doubles. Senior Will Gausmann, who performed No. 2 doubles and No. 3 singles, will crew with freshman Reed Roeder or Brown at No. 2 doubles.
“We now have some youth which might be going to fill in sure spots,” Trinity coach Brad Emerson mentioned. “I feel Jack might be tremendous at 1 singles, after which our doubles ought to be good. Then, I’m pondering we’re going to be fairly good with 2 doubles. At 2 (singles), Luke has some expertise with singles.”
2024 boys tennis schedules for Bartholomew County colleges:
Columbus East
Monday at Bloomington South, 5 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Whiteland Warrior Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 26 vs. Bedford North Lawrence, 5 p.m.
Aug. 27 vs. Columbus North, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 29 at Madison, 5 p.m.
Sept. 3 vs. Edinburgh, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Brown County, 5 p.m.
Sept. 5 vs. Jennings County, 5 p.m.
Sept. 9 vs. Greenwood, 5 p.m.
Sept. 11 vs. East Central, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 vs. Batesville, 5 p.n.
Sept. 14 at Shelbyville, 9 a.m.
Sept. 18 at Greensburg, 4:45 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. Seymour, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 21, East Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 23, HHC at TBA, TBA
Sept. 25, HHC at TBA, TBA
Sept. 27, HHC at TBA, TBA
Columbus North
Monday vs. Plainfield, 6 p.m.
Aug. 23 at Jeffersonville Invitational, 5 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Jeffersonville Invitational, 9 a.m.
Aug. 27 at Columbus East, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 29 at Southport, 5:30 p.m.
Aug. 31 at Terre Haute North, 11 a.m.
Sept. 3 vs. Carmel at Perry Meridian, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 vs. Whiteland, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Seymour, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 at Terre Haute South, 5:45 p.m.
Sept. 12 at Heart Grove, 5 p.m.
Sept. 14, North Invitational, 9 a.m.
Sept. 17 vs. Franklin, 5 p.m.
Sept. 18 at Bloomington South, 6 p.m.
Sept. 19 vs. Floyd Central, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 23 vs. Silver Creek, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 vs. Jeffersonville, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 26 at Bloomington North, 5:30 p.m.
Hauser
Monday vs. Knightstown, 5 p.m.
Tuesday at Shelbyville, 5 p.m.
Thursday at Brown County, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 24 at Rushville, 9 a.m.
Aug. 26 at Milan, 4:30 p.m.
Aug. 29 vs. Japanese Hancock, 5 p.m.
Sept. 3 at Southwestern (Shelby), 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 5 vs. Indian Creek, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 9 at Austin, 5:30 p.m.
Sept. 10 vs. Triton Central, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 11 at Edinburgh, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 12 vs. Morristown, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 16 vs. Edinburgh, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 17 at Waldron, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 19 at Trinity Lutheran, 5 p.m.
Sept. 21 in MHC Event at Waldron, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 vs. Oldenburg Academy, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 vs. Indianapolis Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
