Hancock County Tennis Teams Poised for Competitive Season

As the 2024 high school tennis season approaches, the Hancock County teams are gearing up for an exciting and unpredictable year. With the departure of several key players, the landscape has shifted, leaving room for new talent to emerge and established programs to solidify their dominance. This comprehensive preview delves into the strengths, challenges, and aspirations of each team, setting the stage for a thrilling campaign on the courts.

Preparing for an Unpredictable Season

Eastern Hancock Royals: Experienced Roster Aims for Conference Dominance

The Eastern Hancock Royals are one of the most experienced teams in the county, returning nearly their entire roster from last season. Led by head coach Chris Zeilinga, the Royals are poised to continue their reign as Mid-Eastern Conference champions, having won the title for the past three consecutive years.At the top of the lineup, the Royals boast a formidable duo in Luke Zeilinga and Luke Schilling, who will occupy the No. 1 and No. 2 singles spots, respectively. Zeilinga, the coach's son, impressed as a freshman last season, while Schilling brings a wealth of experience as a four-year starter. Complementing the singles lineup is junior Josiah Swauger, who will hold down the No. 3 singles position.The Royals' biggest changes will come in the doubles lineup, where Myles Wennen will team up with junior Luke Fletcher at No. 1 doubles. Wennen, a seasoned veteran, will provide leadership and experience, while Fletcher's powerful game is expected to make the duo a force to be reckoned with. At No. 2 doubles, senior Bo Dixon and junior Jaylen Helderbrand will look to solidify their partnership, with sophomore Garrett Bridges also in the mix.Coach Zeilinga is confident in his team's ability to continue their conference dominance and take steps towards challenging the other top county programs. With a wealth of experience and a strong work ethic, the Royals are poised to make a deep postseason run.

Greenfield-Central Cougars: Reloading After Historic Season

The Greenfield-Central Cougars are coming off a historic season, having won their first sectional title since 2007. However, head coach Michael Turpin faces the challenge of replacing several key contributors who have graduated, including the No. 1 and No. 2 singles players, as well as members of both doubles teams.Despite the departures, the Cougars still have a solid foundation to build upon. Senior Luke Sitzman, who excelled at No. 1 doubles last season, will be the team's most experienced player. Junior Alex Michalek, who earned All-State honorable mention, will lead the singles lineup at the No. 3 spot. Sophomore Nathan Roberts, another All-State honoree, will also be a key contributor, likely slotting in at either singles or doubles.The Cougars will rely on a mix of returning players and promising newcomers to fill the void left by the graduated seniors. Juniors C.J. Michalek, Nolan Frye, Kasen Jarnecke, and Ethan Ortwein, as well as sophomores Sal Sanchez and Jacob Welch, will all be in the mix for varsity spots. The team also welcomes freshmen Nash Berty, Liam Doffin, and Guyton Hutcherson, who will look to make an immediate impact.Coach Turpin emphasizes that varsity positions are not given but earned through challenge matches, as the Cougars aim to find the right combination of players to replicate their success from the previous season.

Mt. Vernon Marauders: Reloading After Graduation Losses

The Mt. Vernon Marauders are coming off a season that saw both highs and lows. They captured the Hancock County Tournament title and won the Hoosier Heritage Conference for the first time in school history, but fell short in the sectional championship against Greenfield-Central.The Marauders will face a significant challenge in replacing the production and leadership of two-time county player of the year and state finalist, Adam Koon, who has graduated. Koon's departure leaves a void at the No. 1 singles spot, a position he dominated during his illustrious career.In addition to Koon, the Marauders also lost their No. 1 doubles team of Robbie Moore and Matthew Jones, further complicating the lineup puzzle for head coach Graham McMullen.Despite these losses, the Marauders do return several experienced players, including senior Manny Downs and junior Tate Cougill, who occupied the No. 2 and No. 3 singles spots last season. Bryndan Wylie and Max Orelup, the team's No. 2 doubles duo, also return with valuable experience.Coach McMullen emphasizes that varsity positions are not simply handed out but must be earned through challenge matches. The Marauders will be looking for new leaders to emerge and for the team to come together as they aim to continue their success from the previous campaign.

New Palestine Dragons: Experienced Roster Poised for Breakthrough

The New Palestine Dragons enter the 2024 season as one of the most experienced teams in the county, returning six of their seven varsity players from the previous year. With 11 seniors on the roster, the Dragons have the depth and maturity to make a strong push for county and postseason glory.Leading the charge for the Dragons is senior Moses Haynes, who occupied the No. 1 singles spot last season and earned All-State honorable mention. With the departures of Mt. Vernon's Koon and Greenfield-Central's Long, Haynes emerges as the most experienced No. 1 singles player in the county.Complementing Haynes in the singles lineup are senior Arjomand Khokhar at No. 2 and senior Brady Torzewski at No. 3. Torzewski, a county champion at No. 3 singles, went a perfect 18-0 last season and will look to build on that success.In doubles, the Dragons return their No. 1 team of seniors Max Havel and Joey McPike, as well as senior Tyler Wilson at No. 2 doubles. The lone loss from last year's varsity lineup is the other half of the No. 2 doubles team, Eli Sloan, with seniors Joel Dorval, juniors Luke Bartusek, and sophomores Carson Rush and Tyler Walter all vying for the open spot.Head coach Jean Graham is confident in her team's ability to compete at a high level, citing the players' dedication to improving their skills through clinics and tournaments. With a wealth of experience and a deep roster, the Dragons are poised to make a strong push for county and postseason success.