Charlotte-area boys tennis preview: Top players, teams to watch this season
The Observer is previewing the best spring sports athletes and teams in the region. Here is our look at the boys’ tennis season.
Boys’ Tennis Teams to Watch
Charlotte Country Day: The all-state duo of senior Nathan Jackson and sophomore Noah McDonald are back to lead the four-time defending NCISAA Division I state champions, who went a perfect 17-0 last season.
Hickory: The Red Tornadoes, who were a perfect 8-0 in regular-season play last year, return a solid core, led by the 3A state doubles champions, senior Costen Holtzman and junior Griffin Lovern.
Hough: The Huskies return four of their top six players from a team that was 12-0 last year, led by seniors Joaquin Garcia and Andrew Simmel, as well as sophomores Jackson Davis and Jesus Espinoza. Freshman Aden Atri should also have an immediate in the lineup, according to first-year Hough tennis coach Billy Shook.
Providence Day: Chargers tennis coach Ryan Harper is back for a second stint as the team’s coach and he has a team he believes has the depth and talent to contend for a NCISAA Division I state title, led by seniors Drew Klesper and Cameron Rosbrook along with sophomore Shaurya Bharadwaj and freshman Renat Kramin.
Boys’ Tennis Players to Watch
Thomas Davis, Charlotte Latin: The Hawks’ junior will team with classmate Emilio Llerenas as the Charlotte Latin reloads a squad that advanced to the NCISAA Division I semifinals a year ago.
Jack Glassner, Charlotte Catholic: The Hampden-Sydney College commit (No. 1 singles/doubles) returns as the Cougars move into the Southwestern 4A conference.
Ben Moore, Myers Park: The Southwestern 4A singles champion and 4A state quarterfinalist (No. 1 singles) returns to lead a Myers Park team that is 70-8 in the last five years.
Tyler Ramanata, Pine Lake Prep: The defending 1A state singles champion was a perfect 25-0 last season (17-0 singles; 8-0 doubles) with a 37-2 record in his high school singles career.
Rishy Reddy/Harrison Williams, Marvin Ridge: The 3A state doubles runner-up duo is back to lead Marvin Ridge into class 4A competition.
Jacob Reis, Lincoln Charter: The Eagles’ senior and reigning South Piedmont 1A conference player of the year returns at the top of the lineup (No. 1 singles) to lead Lincoln Charter into the new Catawba Shores’ 1A/2A conference
Shiven Twari, Ardrey Kell: The Knights’ sophomore looks to build on a freshman season where he was SoMeck 4A conference and 4A West Regional runner-up for an Ardrey Kell team (10-2) that won the league title. The Knights will be a veteran team with nine players back on the roster.
Walker Valentine, Lake Norman: The I-Meck 4A conference player of the year and 4A state semifinalist will lead a Wildcats team that was co-4A West Regional champions.
Tennis Notes
Going North? North Stanly sophomore Ameno Morgan earned the No. 1 singles position on his team in his first high school season and now looks to help his Comets team improve as five of the six starters return to the lineup.
State Champion x20: Charlotte Country Day tennis coach Calvin Davis has led the Buccaneers’ boys’ and girls’ teams to 20 state championships in his tenure, including the last four straight titles for the boys’ squad, which is 77-3 in that span.
This story was originally published February 22, 2022 at 7:00 PM.
