The Dexter boys’ tennis team is preparing to serve it up at the highest court this weekend – the Division 2 State Finals in Ann Arbor at the University of Michigan. While it’s a short trip to Ann Arbor for Dexter, it was a long and successful road for the Dreadnaughts who started practicing for this moment back in August.
It all came together at last week’s Regional at Dexter HS. And while South Lyon (19 points) and East Lansing (17) earned the top two spots, Dexter aced third place thanks in part to their doubles teams. The Dreadnaughts scored 11 points in the eight-team field.
The No. 2 doubles team of Simon Kim and Jake Kapusanky defeated East Lansing 6-3, 6-4 in the doubles final at Regionals. The Dexter duo not only earned a spot in the state finals but also a first-round bye.
At three doubles, Dexter’s team of Justin Hoehn and Ryan O’rear beat South Lyon in the finals 6-3, 6-3 to earn first-place points. The Dexter duo will face the team from Fenton in the first round at states.
Dexter senior Jared Encisco won his opening two singles match at Regionals before falling 6-4, 6-3 to South Lyon in the semifinals. Dexter senior Dane Wiegers also won his first three singles match at Regionals before falling to East Lansing 7-5, 6-0 in the semifinals.
At four singles, Dexter senior Jackson Durant won his first match at four singles before falling to East Lansing 7-5, 6-0 in the semis.
At one doubles, Dexter’s Nathan Kangas and Nate Kniesteadt won their opening match before losing 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 to South Lyon in the semifinal round.
At four doubles, Dexter’s Allen Labadie and Nate Guinta opened up Regionals with a victory before falling 6-3, 6-3 to East Lansing in the semis.
Duncan Macleod (one singles) lost his first match at Regionals. The senior will face Sammy Yin of GR Forest Hills Central in the opening round at states.
Photo by Baek Kim
