By Cort Reynolds
ADA - Former Ohio Northern University tennis player Cody Hurley assumes the reins of the Ada tennis program this spring with plenty of returning and new talent comprising the roster.
The fifth season of Bulldog varsity spring tennis follows on the heels of a team-best 11-2 dual record last spring.
Ada repeated as Northern Buckeye Tennis League champions, winning the title outright in 2018 after sharing it with three other schools in 2017. The Bulldogs edged Bryan 13-10 to win the conference crown last spring.
Even though three-time state qualifier Zach Beaschler graduated, seven letter winners return to the fold with some other promising newcomers, led by speedy senior Cade Mullins.
"We have a ton of good athletes who play multiple sports at Ada," Hurley enthused. "They are all good kids who work hard."
Beaschler (26-2) finished fourth in the Div. II state singles tournament last May, the best tennis finish in school history.
Senior co-captain Mullins has advanced to district play the last two years, where he has lost in the round of 16. He finished 16-4 in singles play last season.
"Cade has a good chance to make it to state this spring," said Hurley, who is currently an ONU student. "I expect him to have a big year at first singles. Cade is is a very hard worker and is phenomenal athletically, just a heck of an athlete.
"We hope to get Cade to the state round of 16," he added. Mullins possesses a strong forehand and good speed.
"Cade is coming into the season with a lot of momentum and confidence," said Hurley. "He put in an incredible amount of work into the off-season working with multiple different private coaches, and it shows when he steps onto the court.
"He has a career singles winning percentage of 77 percent. His accomplishments will undoubtedly place him as one of the best tennis players to come from Ada for a very long time.
"In addition to his impressive athleticism, Cade is also exceptionally smart on the tennis court, showcasing why he is the valedictorian of his senior class," Hurley noted.
"He is able to analyze his opponent's game and make the necessary adjustments to put him in the best position to win. He is pretty steady in all aspects of his game, but his forehand is his biggest weapon."
Mullins plans to play collegiate tennis at either ONU, Tiffin, or Xavier next year.
Athletic junior Isaac Spar and fiery sophomore competitor Miranda Wills will hold down the second and third singles spots, respectively.
"Isaac almost made it to districts last year," said Hurley. "He performed very well last spring and is a hard worker."
Spar compiled an overall 12-6 record last year, including 7-2 in singles action.
"Isaac has put a lot emphasis into his tennis game over the last six months and has completely transformed as a player," said the new coach. "He is in unbelievable physical condition as he works on his fitness every day.
"Isaac is a fierce competitor and does not fear any opponent or any situation. He is the most offensive player on the team and his groundstrokes have the ability to match those of members of the ONU men's program.
"His forehand is his biggest weapon, but he also has a very good serve and return of serve. The most impressive part of his game is competitiveness and confidence in his ability to win. I love his fire and intensity."
Wills started out playing singles in 2018, and then teamed with Nate Hurtig in doubles much of the second half of last season on a deep roster.
She amassed a fine combined record of 18-3 in singles and doubles last spring.
"Miranda is coming off an extremely impressive season playing on the boys tennis team a year ago as a freshman," said Hurley.
"Miranda puts everything she has into what she is passionate about and her success in volleyball, basketball, and tennis is a testament to that. She is very humble on and off the court and displays great sportsmanship even when she loses. In terms of strokes, Miranda's biggest weapons are her forehand and serve.
"However, the greatest strength in her game is her competitiveness and passion when she competes. She is the biggest competitor on the team and you can see it in every stroke on every single point. Miranda never gives up no matter the score or opponent even when she's not performing at her best," Hurley noted.
"She is a great example for any young lady that you can achieve anything if you believe in yourself and work hard."
Freshman Dexter Woods III, a lanky 6-2 southpaw, is expected to play first doubles and some singles. "He is very talented and can make an impact this season. He just needs experience," said Hurley.
"Dexter comes into his freshman season with a lot of raw talent after working with multiple private coaches prior to the season," observed Hurley. His father Dexter was the former head women's tennis head coach at ONU.
"At 6-2, Dexter makes it very difficult for his opponents to get a ball past him with his large wingspan," Hurley continued. "Dexter's biggest weapons are his lefty serve and his volleys. He has the best hands on the team and I believe he will make a big contribution in both singles and doubles this season.
"Dexter has limited playing experience, but has huge potential. I am excited to see his game develop as the season progresses."
Senior co-captain returnee Gabe Hassan is likely to team with Woods at first doubles. "Gabe is very experienced and has a good forehand," said Hurley. "He has played some doubles and singles in the past, and I expect him to be in the doubles lineup somewhere.
"He works hard and makes an impact on and off the court with a positive attitude," he added.
Junior Theo Hadley also returns to the team. "He is one of our more experienced returning players," said the coach. "His volleying and forehand are strong. He will play some doubles and singles."
Junior Samantha Crawford lettered for the now-defunct girls tennis team in the fall of 2016 as a freshman. "Sam's fundamentals are strong; she can help us out in doubles this year," offered Hurley.
Senior Morgan Swick is expected to get first crack at the second doubles tandem with junior Samantha Crawford.
"I am really excited about Morgan," said the coach. "She is a good athlete with really good fundamentals. She has one of the best forehands on the team. She will make an impact in doubles."
Junior Hunter Wells is another skilled athlete who is likely to see some action after lettering in tennis as a freshman, then running track last year. "Hunter is a super consistent ground-stroker, he rarely misses," said the coach.
"He gets to every ball and is a good athlete in great shape. Hunter is very coachable and might play some doubles."
Rounding out the 12-player roster are three newcomers to the sport in athletic juniors Kendal Guagenti, Reece Evans and Logan Conrad.
"Kendal has a lot of athleticism and brings a ton of energy to the team," said Hurley. "She has a good forehand and a good serve. She definitely has potential and could play some doubles.
"Logan is athletic and a quick learner," he continued. "He is driven and picks up the game well. He could really help us by the end of the season."
Evans joined the team late in the pre-season and "is a good player who will help us in doubles" according to Hurley.
Hurley noted that Ada was seeded for the first time at the in-season state dual match tournament, having been picked third behind traditional powers Lexington and Ottawa Hills.
"We are playing a tough schedule this year," said Hurley. "We open at Centerville, play at Lexington, who was a state semifinalist last year, and play at home vs. Ottawa Hills."
A toughened schedule should help the team and players be sharper and more battle-tested for post-season play.
"One big goal is to try and three-peat as NBTL champions," said the coach. "We want to get Cade to state, and Isaac and Miranda to districts in singles.
"They all have a chance to make a far run in the tournament. I would also like to make it to the regional semifinals of the state tourney."
Ada plays at Celina in the state tourney first round April 20. If they win, the second round would be against either Clyde or Elida. Last year, the Bulldogs fell to Clyde 3-2 in the second round at ONU.
Beaschler won the first singles crown and Mullins finished second in the number two singles flight at the NBTL 2018 conference meet. Spar also came in second at third singles.
The Bulldogs are scheduled to serve up the season opener March 23 at Div. I power Centerville, which is the hometown of their new coach.
"The kids are excited to play a legitimate state-ranked Div. I power in Centerville," said Hurley. Centerville was ranked fifth in Ohio last spring, and he reported that the program has won nine state titles.
Hurley also helps coach the ONU men's team after playing two years of tennis for the Polar Bear netmen.
With the Ada park courts still being resurfaced, the team will play home matches at ONU until the new courts are ready for action, hopefully by mid-April.
The Div. II sectionals will be held May 9-11 at UNOH in Lima, with district play at Bowling Green May 15-18.
The state meet will again be held at the Lindner Family Tennis Center in Mason, Ohio May 24-25. If Mullins makes it to Mason, he would be the third Bulldog boy (after Beaschler and Seth Banks) to qualify for the state meet in program history.
