After making three consecutive appearances in the Boys Tennis State Finals, Columbus North is hoping to break through and contend for a title this season.
The Bull Dogs lost in the state quarterfinals in 2018 and 2020 and the semifinals in 2019. But the 2021 squad might be their deepest and most talented yet.
Here is a look at North and other area boys tennis teams:
Columbus North
With 38 players, veteran Bull Dogs coach Kendal Hammel has his biggest team ever.
“There’s a lot of expectations, not only from us, but from a lot of other people from around the state,” Hammel said. “We’re going to be very solid. We’re going to have the strength and the talent at the top, and we’re going to have the depth all the way through. Definitely, our goal is to get to state and do better than we have before.”
Five regulars return from last year’s 17-2 squad, led by senior Nathan Lin at No. 1 singles. His brother, freshman Hank Lin, will be at No. 2 singles.
Sophomores Anvay Atram and Amrit Kar teamed together at No. 1 doubles this season, but Atram is battling senior Matthew Liu, who played No. 2 singles last year, for the No. 3 singles spot. Whichever of them doesn’t end up there will team with Kar at No. 1 doubles.
Senior Eric Stavnheim returns at No. 2 doubles. He will be joined sophomore Austin Clark or freshmen Parth Shah or Sam Song.
“I have some very good young talent, no doubt about it, and it’s going to make a difference down the road,” Hammel said. “But the big dogs are seniors this year.”
Columbus East
The Olympians made a big jump in wins last season, going from 3-15 in 2019 to 8-12 last year. But four regulars from that team graduated, and another will miss this season after having knee surgery.
“Mostly, I’m just trying to catch everybody up with their playing level and trying to improve as much as we can,” East coach Matt Malinsky said. “I’m not too concerned about wins and losses at the time. I’m just trying to put a strong lineup out there.”
Senior Derek Heideman will move from No. 1 doubles to No. 1 singles. The other varsity returner, junior Matthew Degner, played mostly No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles, and will be at No. 2 singles this season.
Sophomores Lincoln West and Brady Redelman could play No. 3 singles or No. 1 doubles, and freshman Tyler Ernst could play No. 3 singles, No. 1 doubles or No. 2 doubles. Sophomores Henry Ulrich, Jacob Dettmer and Max Banaschak and freshman Ethan Bumbalough are battling for the other varsity spots.
“The new guys are coming a long pretty quickly, and everybody is working hard,” Malinsky said. “I’m encouraged to see how eager our young guys are.”
Hauser
The Jets have six regulars back from a team that went 3-9.
Senior Sam Miller, who returns from an ACL injury, will be at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Caleb Wallace, who played No. 1 singles, will be at No. 2 singles. Junior Hagan Wiedersatz moves from doubles to No. 3 singles.
Senior Eli Miller, who played No. 2 singles, moves to No. 1 doubles, where he will team with junior Levi Gollmer. Senior Carson Rose and junior Dawson Paul return at No. 2 doubles.
“Experience will be the key to success … and I personally think getting through all the hurdles of a COVID season last year has only made this team more resilient and competitive,” Hauser coach Heather Miller said. “Our goal as a team is to win the MHC title and to have each position compete for individual honors in the conference tournament.”
Jennings County
Everyone returns to the Panthers following a 6-16 season.
Junior Owen Law is back at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Jansen McDonald likely will play No. 2 singles. Juniors Alex Leach and Connor Euler and senior Gage Gasper are battling at No. 3 singles.
Junior Justin Ramey and senior Jacob Vogel return at No. 1 doubles. Senior Grayson Jackson is back at No. 2 doubles, where he will be joined by sophomore Ryan Shook.
“There’s potential to do bigger things for sure,” Jennings coach Deron Brown said. “We definitely have some talent. One doubles is really strong when they’re focused, and 2 doubles has pushed them. Owen is just looking for somebody in a different-colored shirt to play.”
Brown County
The Eagles have only eight players to begin the season, including just three returning varsity players.
“To say that this might be a rebuilding year, would be an understatement, but the Eagles are up to the task,” Brown County coach Kevin Roush said. “We had high participation for our summer workouts. With graduating six seniors, most of them with three or four years of varsity experience, our team is one of the smallest that I have coached in a while.”
Senior Josh Miller, who played No. 1 and 2 singles, heads the list of returners from last year’s 12-8 team. Senior Austen Deckard could play singles or doubles, and senior Eli Sichting likely will play singles.
Sophomores Jon Kirchoffer, Wesley Bethards and Brandon Saechao likely will play doubles. Freshmen Owen East and Trevor Shields could play singles or doubles.
Edinburgh
The Lancers won the MHC title last year and went 9-8 for their first winning season since 2000.
Junior Max Blandford returns at No. 1 singles. Senior Travis Jones is back at No. 2 singles. Senior Trevor Moon, who played No. 2 doubles, and sophomore Austin Brockman are battling for the No. 3 singles spot.
Seniors Ian Buchanan and Cash Cunningham return at No. 1 doubles, although Moon or Brockman could play there as well. Cunningham, Moon or Brockman will team with freshman Eli Bryant or freshman Jaden Hill at No. 2 doubles.
“Nothing is written in stone that they’re going to stay there all the time,” Edinburgh coach Pete Khensouri said. “But 1 and 2 singles is pretty solid.”
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars have only seven players as the look to improve on a 2-14 season.
senior Ryan Kleman returns at No. 1 singles. Sophomore Solomon Hall and junior Nathan Voelker, who teamed at No. 1 doubles, move to Nos. 2 and 3 singles.
Senior Cameron Greenwald moves from No. 2 singles to No. 1 doubles, where he will be joined by senior newcomer Evan Hunt. Freshmen Nathan Finke and Will Gausman step in at No. 2 doubles.
“They’re looking good compared to last year,” Trinity coach Kable Walton said. “I think we’ll do a little better than 2-14 this year.”
