The Dexter boys’ tennis team earned a spot in the State Finals with an impressive showing at last week’s Regional at Dexter HS. The Dreadnaughts did not waste the opportunity as they finished 11th overall at the Division 2 State Finals this past weekend at the University of Michigan.
Dexter scored seven points in the 23-team tournament.
Grand Rapids Forest Hills Northern finished first with 28 points, three ahead of Detroit U-D Jesuit. Birmingham Groves was third (22) and Birmingham Seaholm was fourth (21).
It was a great year for Dexter tennis. The Dreadnaughts finished with a 7-4-1 record and qualified for the state meet where they finished 11th overall.
“I cannot say enough about the grit, resiliency, and determination of this group of boys,” said Dexter Coach Robert Smothers. “We had a lot of ups and downs this year, but we absolutely played our best tennis at the State Finals meet.”
Dexter finished third at Regionals and barely qualified for the state finals, but they ended up finishing ahead of both teams that beat them at Regionals (South Lyon and East Lansing).
“Every single boy brought their absolute best at the finals,” he said. “This senior class has done great things for this program and have laid a foundation for the future success of Dexter tennis. The Dexter tennis family is as strong as ever and I am very proud of this team and excited for the future. These boys represented the Dexter community with the utmost class. If I could build each of these boys a statue to show my admiration and respect, I would.”
Dexter’s No. 2 doubles team of Simon Kim and Jake Kapusanky earned a first-round bye after winning Regionals. The duo defeated Allen Park 6-1, 7-6(2) in the second round at the state finals before falling to eventual state champion GR Forest Hills Northern 6-0, 6-0.
At three doubles, Dexter’s team of Justin Hoehn and Ryan O’rear opened with a win over Fenton before falling to U-D Jesuit 6-1, 6-1 in the second round.
At four doubles, Dexter’s Allen Labadie and Nate Guinta opened up with a 6-4, 6-2 win over Grosse Pointe South. They lost in the next round to Birmingham Seaholm 6-0, 6-2.
At one doubles, Dexter’s Nathan Kangas and Nate Kniesteadt won their opening match 6-3, 6-2 over Flushing before falling in the second round to Birmingham Groves, 6-0, 6-0.
Dexter senior Jared Encisco won his opening two singles match against Fenton 6-3, 6-1 before falling 6-1, 6-0 to Forest Hills Central in the second round. Dexter senior Dane Wiegers also won his first three singles match 1-6, 6-3, 6-2 over GR Forest Hills Central before falling in the second round to Portage Northern 6-0, 6-0.
At four singles, Dexter senior Jackson Durant lost his first-round match 6-2, 6-4 to Berkley. At one singles, Duncan Macleod lost his first match 6-0, 6-0 to GR Forest Hills.
