For years, boys tennis has struggled to gain traction in Livingston County, but as 2024 unfolds, there is newfound optimism for the sport’s resurgence.
Brighton showcased remarkable determination in their recent season, narrowly losing in a heart-wrenching tie-breaker while vying for a spot in the state finals, a journey they haven’t embarked on since 2006. The Bulldogs are poised to build on this momentum, as many of their key team members will return, eager to break the state tournament drought that has lingered for so long.
Meanwhile, Fowlerville made their mark by sending standout player Cole Sova to the Division 3 state finals, marking a significant achievement for the program.
In a departure from the usual selection methods by the Livingston Daily, coaches within Livingston County came together to hand-pick an all-county team following the season, showcasing local talent and dedication.
Tyler Adams
► School: Brighton
► Class: Senior
► Flight: No. 2 singles
► Accomplishments: Adams impressed this season with an impressive 18-7 record, elevating his career total to 52 victories. He triumphed at the Flushing quad and advanced to the semifinals at regionals. “Tyler set the bar for what it means to be a member of the tennis program at Brighton,” said coach Jonathan Wendrick, emphasizing Adams’ leadership and determination.
Logan Fossum
► School: Brighton
► Class: Senior
► Flight: No. 3 singles
► Accomplishments: Fossum distinguished himself as the only county player to capture a flight title at the KLAA tournament, winning the No. 3 singles championship. With a career record of 62-23 and a 19-5 mark this season, he reached the semifinals at regionals. “Logan is a great competitor who exemplifies excellent sportsmanship on the court,” coach Wendrick remarked.
Ben Krause
► School: Hartland
► Class: Senior
► Flight: No. 1 singles
► Accomplishments: As Hartland’s No. 1 singles player for the past two years, Krause achieved a commendable 12-6 record as a senior. He clinched the Livingston County quad title and progressed to the first round of regionals, where he faced off against the eventual champion. Krause has earned the title of MVP for the Eagles twice, underscoring his integral role in the team’s success.
Cole Sova
► School: Fowlerville
► Class: Senior
► Flight: No. 1 singles
► Accomplishments: Sova stood out as the only player from his county to qualify for the state tournament, achieving this feat after being a regional finalist in Division 3. He won his opening match in the state tournament before falling in the second round, concluding the season with a respectable 19-11 record. His remarkable 73 career victories rank second all-time at Fowlerville, demonstrating his lasting impact on the program.
Ryan Michaels
Ayush Shenoy
► School: Brighton
► Class: Michaels, sophomore; Shenoy, junior
► Flight: No. 1 doubles
► Accomplishments: Partnering at No. 1 doubles, Michaels and Shenoy finished the season with an impressive 16-7 record in the challenging KLAA. Their efforts led them to victory at the Flushing quad and a semifinal appearance at regionals, showcasing their formidable skills and teamwork. “Playing against strong 1 doubles teams will benefit Ryan and Ayush immensely in their development,” praised coach Wendrick.
Lucas Lamberjack
Matthew Wendrick
► School: Brighton
► Class: Lamberjack, senior; Wendrick, sophomore
► Flight: No. 2 doubles
► Accomplishments: Lamberjack and Wendrick enjoyed a successful campaign, finishing with a 19-6 record while only losing to teams that qualified for the state tournament. Their performance at the Chelsea and Flushing quads demonstrated their remarkable synergy on the court. “Their games complemented each other exceptionally well,” coach Wendrick noted.
Lucas Furness
Joe Mertes
► School: Brighton
► Class: Furness, sophomore; Mertes, junior
► Flight: No. 3 doubles
► Accomplishments: The duo of Furness and Mertes wrapped up their season with an impressive 16-9 record, making it to the semifinals at regionals. “This year marked Lucas’s debut in tennis while Joe is in his second year. Despite their lack of experience, they excelled and have a solid foundation to build upon,” coach Wendrick commented.
Ben Durbin
Grant Wilkinson
► School: Fowlerville
► Class: Durbin, senior; Wilkinson, junior
► Flight: No. 1 doubles
► Accomplishments: Durbin and Wilkinson finished with a remarkable 20-8 record this season, advancing to the semifinals at regionals and reaching the finals in the CAAC Red tournament. With victories at the Howell and Fowlerville quads, they showcased their prowess, only falling to state qualifiers. Notably, Durbin concludes his career with a remarkable 70-13 record, solidifying his legacy as the Gladiators’ all-time leader in doubles victories.
SECOND TEAM
Singles
Keegan Parish, Brighton
Pierce Pettengill, Brighton
Ethan Way, Fowlerville
Asher Smolinski, Hartland
Noah Burd, Hartland
Doubles
Grantin Gallant-Jonathan Solgat, Brighton
Nick Harmon-Nathan Sommer, Fowlerville
Tommy Cox-Hunter Stewart, Fowlerville
HONORABLE MENTION
Fowlerville: Lon Pringle. Hartland: Kruz Kruska. Howell: Ryan Meriden. Pinckney: Andrew Eppler, Daniel Eppler, John Westphal.
Contact Bill Khan at [email protected]. Follow him on X @BillKhan
– What strategies does Coach Jonathan Wendrick believe are essential for continuing the momentum of boys’ tennis in Livingston County?
**Interview with Coach Jonathan Wendrick: Discussing the Resurgence of Boys Tennis in Livingston County**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Coach Wendrick. Exciting times are unfolding for boys’ tennis in Livingston County, especially with Brighton’s recent performance. What are your thoughts on the team’s journey this past season?
**Coach Wendrick:** Thank you for having me! This past season has been nothing short of incredible for our boys’ tennis team. We showcased our resilience throughout the season, especially in that heart-wrenching tie-breaker match while fighting for a spot in the state finals. It’s a testament to the hard work and dedication that our players have put in. We haven’t made it to that level since 2006, so there’s a lot of motivation to continue building on that momentum.
**Interviewer:** Many of Brighton’s key players will be returning next season. How do you see that impacting your chances of breaking the state tournament drought?
**Coach Wendrick:** Having our core players returning definitely adds to our optimism. Players like Tyler Adams and Logan Fossum have not only led by example on the court, but they’ve also set a standard in practice and teamwork. Their leadership will be crucial as we aim to take that next step. With their experience and the chemistry we’ve developed, I believe we have a good shot at making a deeper run next year.
**Interviewer:** Besides Brighton, Fowlerville’s Cole Sova made waves by qualifying for the Division 3 state finals. How does this success contribute to the overall landscape of boys’ tennis in the county?
**Coach Wendrick:** Cole Sova’s achievement is a huge boost not just for Fowlerville, but for the entire county. It shows that there is growing talent and competitive spirit in boys’ tennis here. His success inspires other young players and highlights that with hard work, they can also reach those heights. This collective success will help elevate the sport across Livingston County.
**Interviewer:** I also noticed that coaches from the county came together to select an all-county team this year. What led to this decision, and how do you think it will benefit local players?
**Coach Wendrick:** Traditionally, selections were made by the Livingston Daily, but we thought it would be more beneficial for coaches to collaborate and recognize talent from within our community. Creating an all-county team promotes camaraderie among coaches and highlights the achievements of our players. It helps young athletes feel valued and noticed, encouraging them to continue developing their skills.
**Interviewer:** As you look ahead to the upcoming season, what are your main goals for the team?
**Coach Wendrick:** Our primary goal is to build on our recent accomplishments and enter next season with confidence and determination. Besides aiming for a state tournament berth, we want to cultivate a strong team culture, where every player feels they are contributing to something special. If we can do that, I believe that we can achieve great things together.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Coach Wendrick, for sharing your insights. It sounds like an exciting time for boys’ tennis in Livingston County, and we look forward to seeing how the season unfolds!
**Coach Wendrick:** Thank you! I appreciate the opportunity to talk about this wonderful sport and our talented athletes. I’m excited for what’s to come!
