22 players to watch, what to know about Battle Creek-area boys tennis teams this spring

BATTLE CREEK — With summer over, the high school boys tennis season will soon be in full swing and there's a lot to know about the city and area squads.

Fans of high school boys tennis will want to keep in mind some key dates coming up. MHSAA regionals will begin Oct. 8. The MHSAA will do something different with the state boys tennis tournament this year, holding it at one site over two weekends. Division 1 and Division 4 will be at Midland Tennis Center on Oct. 15-16. Division 2 and Division 3 will be at Midland on Oct. 22-23.

MORE: Vote for Battle Creek Enquirer Preseason Boys Tennis Player of the Year

Here is an extended look on the key city and area boys tennis teams for 2025:

Battle Creek Central

Coach: Paul Buchanan (1st season)

Top returners: Kyle Fox (sr.); Derek Schultz (sr.); Cory Skutt (sr.)

Outlook: Battle Creek Central has a strong senior class to lead the way in 2025. The top three singles positions will include seniors Kyle Fox (No. 1 singles), Derek Schultz (No. 2) and Cory Skutt (No. 3). The Bearcats have a lot of questions marks beyond that as BCC is struggling with overall numbers in the program. First-year head coach Paul Buchanan is hoping to build a strong foundation for the tennis team moving forward.

According to Buchanan, "Beyond competition, a key goal for this year is to recruit and build interest in tennis throughout the school community. By laying this groundwork now, we aim to expand the program in the coming years and establish a tradition of excellence both on and off the court."

Gull Lake  

Coach: Roger Cornelius

Last year: 4th in SMAC

Top returners: Jake Worgess, Jacob Nichols, Max Uppal, Dylan Piwko, Peyton Orley.

Outlook: Longtime Gull Lake head coach Roger Cornelius returns, closing in on his fifth decade with the program. The Blue Devils are coming off a strong season, winning their regional and finishing 10th in the state in Division 2. However, Gull Lake was hit hard by graduation and lost six players off of that team. Returners Jake Worgess and Jacob Nichols, who each played doubles a year ago, will slide up into two of the singles spots. Max Uppal will also have to take a bigger role in the singles flights. Gull Lake is hoping some incoming freshmen can make an impact in Cade DeMaagd, who could end up playing No. 1 or No. 2 singles, as well as Lucas Nichols, who should be used in one of the varsity doubles positions.

Harper Creek  

Coach: Christopher Selva (1st season)

Last year: 1-10-1

Top returners: Jake Shragg (jr.); Quinten Valenzuela (jr.)

Outlook: Harper Creek will have a new head coach for the boys tennis team in Christopher Selva, who also took over the girls program last spring. The Beavers are coming off a season where they won one dual. Harper Creek also is light on experience without a senior on the roster who played varsity matches a year ago. Junior Quinten Valenzuela returns after playing No. 2 singles a year ago. Junior Jake Schragg returns after playing doubles last season.

According to Selva, "Looking at our team this year, we are very excited to see the talent of the freshmen we have and how our returning players have grown their skills. Our team is hungry to compete this fall and will fight hard in every match."

Lakeview 

Coach: Stuart Smith (3rd season)

Last year: 10-5-3

Top returners: Jay Hamric (sr.); Kolten Etheridge (jr.); Brady Kolassa (sr.); Brogan Oxley (so).

Outlook: Lakeview was ranked in the state a year ago and finished 12th at the state tournament in Division 2. However, with graduation losses, on paper it looks like a rebuilding year for the Spartans with just four returning varsity players. That group is strong as all four were city champs a year ago. Jay Hamric comes back for a senior season after playing No. 2 singles a year ago. Junior Kolten Etheridge was a state quarterfinalist at No. 3 singles. Senior Brady Kolassa and sophomore Brogan Oxley were each key doubles players for the Spartans in 2024. A big goal for the team is to return to the state tournament for a third straight season.

According to Smith, "Expectations are still high at Lakeview. We have an exciting group of new players coming in this year, that will mesh very well with our returning core. The cool thing about this group is that they all work hard and are going to get so much better as the season goes on. This may be one of the most athletic groups we have had in a while here."

Marshall 

Coach: Cristy Ortiz (7th season)

Top returners: Luke Bierbaum, Jack Marsh, John Hazen, Brendan Parks, Brady Hill, Samuel Scott, Harrison Nessel, Landon Emmons, Arjun Lamuth, Derek McDonald, Dean Harroff.

Outlook: Marshall will be able to lean on some experience with several players with multiple years on the varsity. Luke Bierbaum is in his fourth season on the varsity and will be joined by third-year varsity tennis players in Jack Marsh, John Hazen, Brendan Parks, Brady Hill and Samuel Scott. Expectations are that most of the players will be moving up some spots in 2025 with some first-year players looking to fill some roles as well.

According to Ortiz, "Overall, seeing what I have seen so far with the boys coming out on their own all summer and working on things, we have shown improvement. If we keep practicing as hard as they have been, it will be an exciting and fun season."

Pennfield

Coach: Nicole Badger (2nd season)

Last year: 1-8-2

Top returners: Hudson Badger (so.); Kenny Lambeth

Outlook: In her second season leading the program, Pennfield head coach Nicole Badger has tried to create more excitement around the team and has improved numbers on the roster with nine boys returning. Hudson Badger is a rising prospect and will play No. 1 singles as a sophomore, with an eye toward a possible league title as an individual. Kenny Lambeth saw some success last year in singles and will step into the No. 2 spot this year.

According to Badger, "My boys have put in the work and I'm looking forward to a much more successful season this year."

Bill Broderick can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on X/Twitter:@billbroderick

This article originally appeared on Battle Creek Enquirer: 2025 season preview for high school boys tennis in Battle Creek area