The boys varsity tennis team had a very successful 2025 season. Throughout the season, there were many ups and downs, but overall, the team was able to come through when it mattered most and play well in the conference and regional tournaments. The boys were led this season by three captains: Hayden Tanner, Joseph Song, and Frey Wu. Overall, the team was young this season, with only four seniors, but with all of the stockpiled youth, the team is set for the future. The season was highlighted by a birth in the state finals and the team’s placement at regionals and in the conference.
With the senior leadership graduating at the end of the year, captain Joseph Song said the team has a few things to improve on before heading into next season.
“One thing that the team needs to improve on is communication. Especially with doubles, communication is big, and if you aren’t talking to your partner, then it is hard to succeed. Also, players need to be determined to win. A lot of players, when they go into a tough match, already look like they are defeated, and they need to be determined to win the match.”
This season was somewhat of a building year for the varsity tennis team as the program is returning eleven out of fifteen players for next season. There is no doubt that the team is creating a foundation for the future. However, three out of the team’s top four doubles players will graduate this year, so some individuals are going to have to step up. However, with a combined six freshman and sophomore players coming back, I have no doubt that they will find some players for the job.
This season’s postseason was a little different than those in the past. In past years, there is a conference tournament where all of the teams are seeded based off of the play during the year and then the teams play each other until there is a winner. This year, it was decided not to do away with the tournament and just base the winner off of the season-long race. This was more than just a subtle change for the varsity tennis team now going straight from the regular season to the regional tournament.
The most important match of the year came at the regional tournament. The boys went into this match with both high expectations and a steady level of confidence. They knew they were one of the best teams in their region and were ready to prove it. The boys showed up ready to play and ended up placing second in the region while qualifying for the state finals. This accomplishment was big for the team, as this was the goal from the beginning of the year. They had been practicing everyday with a goal to compete for a state championship, and now they had that opportunity.
Senior Frey Wu was able to go undefeated in regionals and capture the victory.
“I’m very proud of senior captain Frey Wu for winning the regional tournament at the three singles flight,” coach Dan Bolhouse said.
The varsity team headed to H.H. Dow High School in Midland, MI to compete for the state championship. Hayden Tanner and Joseph Song were the defending champions in two doubles, but now Hayden moved up and is playing one doubles this season with senior partner Austin Rowland, who was also a defending state champion but at the one doubles slot. This tandem headed into the tournament with a lot of confidence coming off a great season last year and continued success this season as well.
“Both of us won states last year at one and two doubles, and coming into this year’s tournament, we were the number one seed, meaning we had a pretty successful season. Both of us came into the season with a lot of confidence and started the season slow, losing 5 out of 5 of our tightest matches that ended in a ten point tiebreak. However, it was reaffirming that we were playing well because we were playing tight matches against some of the toughest teams” Tanner said.
As the state tournament wrapped up day one, three flights were able to make it into the next day. The semi-finals were the first match-up, and the only singles flight left for the Rangers was sophomore Rei Hitachi. Unfortunately, he lost in the semis, but a run like that is nothing to be ashamed of. The other two teams left were both on the double side, with Hayden Tanner and Austin Rowland looking to go back-to-back and Joseph Song and James Notarnicola looking to win their first title as a team. Unfortunately, Hayden and Austin lost in the semis, wrapping up their tennis career at FHC, but Joseph and James were able to make it to the finals. Being the last match of the season, no matter what, they played their hardest but ended up falling short to the undefeated duo from Byron Center. It was another successful season and overall career for Joseph, and no doubt something that James will build off of as he heads into his senior season on the courts.
The boys varsity tennis team ended the tournament in ninth place. Completing a top ten finish at the state finals is always a great accomplishment. Coach Bolhouse was proud of his team by saying, “We had some very challenging draws at the state finals. But, I was very proud of how the boys competed in every match!”
Senior captain Hayden Tanner was disappointed with not winning another state championship, but he was happy with the totality of his season. “I was definitely proud of our season overall. Austin and I earned all-conference and will most likely earn all-state, making it to the semi-finals, but obviously, we were disappointed by not being able to get the job done. It was the goal all year, and falling short was heart-wrenching.”
As the boys tennis team looks back on another season completed, there is no doubt that the players have countless things to look back on and be proud of. However, they also know there is improvement to be made and new goals to be set for another successful season on the horizon.
