The Ada varsity tennis team, from left, front row: Rey Hurley, Lawson Klingler, Amelia Young, Steven Fisher.
Row 2: Josh Thaxton, Luke Archer, Jesse Okuly, Justin Bowden, Nathan Williams.
Back: Head coach Morgan Bass, Brandon Prater, Mohamad Khalil, Sam Crawford.
By Cort Reynolds
The Ada High School boys tennis team starts a new season under first-year head coach Morgan Bass this spring with an inexperienced roster.
The former AHS and Ohio Northern University basketball standout takes the reins without much tennis background, but she has plenty of energy and drive.
“We have quite a few newcomers,” she said. “Effort and attitude are the keys. We are focused on building, day by day.“
Five lettermen return to the team, with one player head and shoulders above the rest.
Athletic junior southpaw Nathan Williams is the top returning player. A stylish lefty, he has a good forehand and good speed. Williams is also a good competitor who hustles, and can improvise shots to extend rallies.
“Other than Nathan, I am not sure about our lineup,” Bass admitted.
Four other lettermen, two sophomores and a pair of juniors, also return to compete for spots in the rotation.
Juniors Mohamad Khalil and Luke Archer are back, along with sophs Justin Bowden and Sam Crawford. Bowden and Archer gained perhaps the most experience last year at doubles.
Senior Jesse Okuly is a newcomer to the team, as are freshmen Brandon Prater, Lawson Klingler and Steven Fisher.
“Brandon Prater looks promising,” Bass offered.
Junior Rey Hurley, and sophomores Amelia Young and Josh Thaxton complete the 12-player roster.
Ada graduated top singles players Brendan Jameson and Amelia Alexander from last year’s 5-5 squad that finished third in the Northern Buckeye Tennis League tournament conference meet.
Jameson and Alexander finished second in the first and second singles flights of the league meet, respectively. Jameson made it to the Div. II district tournament round of 16 before bowing out.
Maumee Valley took first in the league event at Bryan.
Williams ended up third in the third singles tournament in the 2023 NBTL championships to post the top finish of any returnee.
“We have a good group of kids,” Bass summed up. “They are coachable and will do their best every day.
“Our goal is just to compete, it is a building program,” she continued. “We want to build with the intent to get players to come back next year.”
The first match of the season is slated for March 22 at Marion Harding. The first three Bulldog matches are away, followed by five home matches.
The home opener at War Memorial Park is slated for April 9 vs. Fostoria.
