Columbus North’s Hank Lin serves at No. 1 singles during the semistate Oct. 8, 2023 at Center Grove.
The Republic file photo
Coming off a state runner-up finish, Columbus North will look to continue its run as one of the state’s elite boys tennis programs. Columbus East, meanwhile, will try to make up some ground under new coach Adam Ulrich.
Here is a look at those and other area boys tennis teams heading into the 2024 season:
Columbus North
The Bull Dogs went 24-2 and came up one point short of a state title with a 3-2 loss to Carmel in the championship match. The following week, then-junior Hank Lin was runner-up in the State Singles Finals.
“He played a lot of tennis this summer and is hitting the ball very well,” North coach Kendal Hammel said. “He has to be one of the top favored guys to win the state this year.”
Senior Parth Shah played No. 2 singles last season and likely will be there again this fall. Junior Teddy Littrell played some No. 3 singles, and is battling for that spot with junior Vince Sasse.
Seniors Michael Crossman and Yoki Murayabashi likely will move 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 guys played a lot of tennis on the offseason,” Hammel said. “Some of them didn’t play enough, though. Right now, we’re struggling just a little bit. We’ve had several injuries. We’re just trying to get through it right now.”
North will once again look to return to the state tournament.
“We will have a good solid team,” Hammel said. “We’re not going to be as good as last year’s team for sure. Our goal obviously would be to get back to the state. It will be a little tougher this year for us. We just don’t have the depth this year.”
Columbus East
Ulrich takes over the Olympians program from Matt Malinsky. Ulrich coached the East girls tennis team this spring and faces a similar situation with the boys.
“We’re rebuilding,” Ulrich said. “We have a lot of new players. We’re still fairly young.”
Columbus East’s Tyler Ernst hits a shot in a No. 3 singles tennis match against Columbus North Aug. 22, 2023 at Columbus North.
The Republic file photo
Senior Tyler Ernst, who played No. 2 and 3 singles, will move up to No. 1 singles. Sophomore Trevor Ernst moves from No. 2 doubles to No. 1 doubles or No. 2 or 3 singles. Senior Owen Kirk, who played No. 3 singles and No. 1 doubles, moves 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 could play No. 3 singles or No. 2 doubles. Freshmen Cooper Henry and Carson Hartsook could play No. 2 doubles
Sophomore newcomer Jonas Newell and freshman Hadley McQueary will provide depth.
East had one of its best seasons in recent years last year, going 7-16.
“Our goal is to at least match where we were last year and not take any backward steps,” Ulrich said. “Some of the guys are better than what they were last year, so that’s a plus. I think we are still going to be competitive. We’re going to surprise some people. The boys are working really hard to make a name for East tennis.”
Hauser
The Jets have a big team with 17 players, including six starters from a team that went 6-6.
“We have the largest team we’ve had in five or six years,” Hauser coach Andy Kilps said. “We have a lot of guys out, so I’m pretty happy about that. Last year, we started a junior high program, and we’re getting it built up a little bit more with some of the younger guys.”
Senior Hunter Pappano moves up from No. 2 singles to No. 1 singles, and junior Kam Blair moves from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 singles. Senior Colten Hatton returns at No. 3 singles.
Senior Jentzen Bechtel is back at No. 1 doubles and will team with his brother, sophomore Joel Bechtel. Senior Jayden Blair and junior RJ Foster return at No. 2 doubles.
“We’re looking to have one of our best years in several years, I’m hoping,” Kilps said. “We’re on the upswing here a little bit.”
Jennings County
The Panthers will look to improve on last year’s 3-15 record.
Junior Parker Bales returns at No. 1 singles. Freshman Luke Napier steps in at No. 2 singles, and junior Ty Zohrlaut moves from No. 1 doubles to No. 3 singles.
Senior Cole Skinner, who played No. 2 doubles, and junior Brady Sentz will play at No. 1 doubles. Freshman Asher Morin and junior Nolan Sochacki will start the season at No. 2 doubles.
“The freshmen we have are good,” Jennings coach Deron Brown said. “I think we’ll be pretty solid in singles. Next year definitely will be a better year, but we’re definitely not going to give up on this year.”
Brown County
The Eagles once again hope to be in the mix for a Western Indiana Conference title with four returning varsity players.
Senior Owen East moves 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 3 singles spots.
Senior Trevor Shields and junior Jax Burt likely will be at No. 1 doubles, although Burt also could play No. 2 singles. Freshmen Logan Peck and Jack Anderson could step in at No. 2 doubles.
“Our freshmen will have an opportunity to play a lot of tennis this season, and I fully expect them to get better each match,” Brown County coach Kevin Roush said. “Our team has shown that they are ready to carry the torch that has been handed down over the seasons and live up to the expectations that have been the hallmark of a Brown County tennis player. This team will play hard and gain valuable experience from each chance that they step on the court.”
Edinburgh
Pete Khensouri is back for his 26th year at the Lancers coach, and he will try to improve on a 1-13 season.
Junior Bailey Totten moves from No. 2 to No. 1 singles, and sophomore Matt Burton moves from No. 1 doubles to No. 2 singles. Freshman Brinnyn Moss, junior Jayson Music (who played No. 1 doubles) or sophomore Braden Cox (who played No. 2 doubles) are battling at No. 3 singles.
Senior newcomer Rylan Londeree and junior Braylon Lenkner, who played No. 3 singles, will be at No. 1 doubles. Junior Teddy Crawhorn returns at No. 2 doubles, and will team with Music or Cox.
“They’re really young, but I’m kind of big on those freshmen,” Khensouri said. “We’re just trying to improve.”
Trinity Lutheran
The Cougars return five starters from a team that went 13-10.
Junior Jack Stuckwisch will move up from No. 2 singles to No. 1 singles. Sophomore Luke Schepman, who played mostly No. 2 doubles, likely will 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 played No. 2 doubles and No. 3 singles, will team with freshman Reed Roeder or Brown at No. 2 doubles.
“We have some youth that are going to fill in certain spots,” Trinity coach Brad Emerson said. “I think Jack will be fine at 1 singles, and then our doubles should be good. Then, I’m thinking we’re going to be pretty good with 2 doubles. At 2 (singles), Luke has some experience with singles.”
2024 boys tennis schedules for Bartholomew County schools:
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 Center 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. Eastern 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 Tournament at Waldron, 4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25 vs. Oldenburg Academy, 5:30 p.m.
Oct. 1 vs. Indianapolis Lutheran, 4:30 p.m.
