A lot of things remained the same for the Holland Christian boys tennis team.
Much of the lineup has returned, the team has done well against good competition, and the Maroons have big goals.
Even bigger with some of the things that have changed.
While the lineup is similar, the Maroons season outlook will be different because Holland Christian moved down to Division 4 for tennis.
Regularly a top 10 team in the state in Division 3, the Maroons are aiming for a state title this season.
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“Last year, the doubles were the strength of our team, and this year, we brought 1-2-3 singles back. So now, we are true complete team from top to bottom,” Holland Christian coach Steve Gorno said. “Everyone is playing well up and down the lineup. We have a hard schedule and play a lot of the best teams in the state. So far we have been up to the challenge. This was a huge match to win and a great match that we are going to learn from.”
Holland Christian (10-0-1) got down to business on Monday, sweeping Holland 8-0 at the Tiger Teusink Tennis Courts at Holland High School.
Josh Dawson defeated Floyd Webb 6-1, 6-0 at No. 1 singles.
Dawson is one of the three returners in the singles lineup and has grown after playing a year at the top spot.
“I was trying to keep it to his backhand and stepping in when I got the chance,” Dawson said. “The experience from last year helps, especially mentally. The consistency has gotten better as well as my one-handed backhand.
“It is awesome having the depth we have on this team. I can compete with everyone our team and we are all making each other better. We are hoping to win state, we just have to keep our intensity up.”
At No. 2 singles, Dylan Becksvoort defeated Holland’s Tucker Bareman 6-0, 6-1. Evan Disselkoen defeated Christian Ramirez 6-2, 6-1 at No. 3 and Nico Grosso beat Peyton Lehman 6-1, 7-6 (3) at No. 4.
In doubles, Holland Christian’s Henry Langejans and Lucas VanWieren topped Harper Prutch and Graham VanFaasen 6-2, 6-0 at No. 1.
At No. 2, Tyler Hemmeke and Gavin Swiftney defeated Owen Baer and Hank Webb 4-6, 6-2, 6-3.
Michael Gorno and Graham Tanis defeated Royce Cano and Will Lubbers 6-0, 6-0 at No. 3 and Levi King and Jack DeYoung beat Mason Hart and Josiah VanFarowe 6-1, 6-3 at No. 4.
Contact sports editor Dan D’Addona at Dan.D’Addona@hollandsentinel.com. Follow him on X, formerly known as Twitter @DanDAddona or Facebook @HollandSentinelSports.
This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Holland Christian tennis sweeps Holland, aiming for state title
