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SWBL Spring Previews: Boys Tennis

Bellbrook
With Oakwood on the other side of the league now, Bellbrook will look to win its first SWBL title since winning three straight from 2017-2019. Head coach Millie Layrisse (four years at BHS) and the Eagles are looking to advance athletes to the district tournament for the seventh year in a row. Key returners are senior Simon Marasco (first singles), sophomore Jonah Grismer (second singles), senior Daniel Betts (second doubles), sophomore Alexander Dore (second doubles) and sophomore Alexander Howell (third singles). Marasco and Grismer reached districts last season. 
 
Brookville
Head coach Tanner Marburger returns for his third season at the school. A large sophomore class (11) joins seniors AJ Reider and Othinel Shupert and junior Serinity Suggs.
 
Carlisle
This spring could be special for the Indians. Head coach Kevin Witt (89-82 in 12 years) returns a load of talent from last year’s SWBL championship team that includes defending league champion Jake Rust (senior) at first singles. Rust, who is approaching the all-time wins record at Carlisle, was a district qualifier last season. Also back are senior Ty Tucker (second singles SWBL champion) and senior Micah Powell and junior Titus Powell (SWBL first doubles champions). The goal is to eclipse last year’s win total and contend for another SWBL Championship. “This team is loaded with experience,” Witt said. “If we can continue to build on that, we are hoping for a special season!"
 
Eaton
Veteran head coach John Hitchcock (enters Year 12) has a talented roster that includes five returning starters, including all three singles spots (seniors Jude Minton, Charles Kochensparger, and Sophie Kochensparger). Fellow senior Lydia Eilerman who anchored the second doubles team returns as does junior Trevor Hobbs who was part of the first doubles team. Newcomer Drew DeWitt (senior) joins the team and is expected to make an impact in doubles. Rounding out the squad are three freshmen – Brayden Pieratt, Declan Kennedy and Logan Duncan. “After finishing third in the SWBL last season we hope to be competitive again, but it will be even more of a challenge as we get Oakwood back in the conference after another realignment,” Hitchcock said. “In addition, Carlisle and Valley View return very strong rosters as well which will get us battle tested as we get to sectionals at the end of the season.”
 
Monroe
Head coach Noah Kappers returns for his second season. Key returners include juniors Gavin Volk and Evan Hale (doubles) and Jackson Brandehoff (singles/doubles); sophomore Jerry Li (singles/doubles); and seniors Kayden Merritt (singles/doubles), Carson Graft (singles/doubles), Ian Race (singles/doubles) and Joey Brown (singles/doubles).
 
Oakwood
The Lumberjacks are looking to capture a fourth straight SWBL title and have the line-up to do so and more. First-year head coach Christy Heppner inherits a wealth of experience. Seniors Arick Baldwin and Noah Boyce return as Oakwood’s top singles players and were the 2023 Division II doubles sectional champions and state runners-up. Baldwin is the reigning SWBL champion at first singles and was MVTCA first team All-Area and the MVTCA D-II Player of the Year. Boyce is a three-time state qualifier, the reigning SWBL champion at second singles and a MVTCA first team All-Area selection. Also returning are seniors Jack Smallwood (first doubles), Rohan Haack (third singles) and Eli Rhodes (second doubles). All three were SWBL champions last season. Keep an eye on freshman Grant Zhou. Said Heppner: “The boys enjoyed tremendous success last year and are excited for the season.”

Ross
The Rams have 10 on the roster, including seniors Sam Davidson, Chase Minnich, Chester Parker, Carter Pate and Noah Westerfield.
 
Valley View
This spring could be a historic season for the Spartans for many reasons. First off, head coach William Heistand (169-64 in 11 years at VV) is going to become the youngest inductee ever (36 years old) in the Miami Valley Tennis Coaches Association Hall of Fame in May. In addition, Valley View brings back a slew of talent including seniors AJ Cordell and Jack Speck who return at first and second singles, respectively. Also back are senior Johnathon Cooke and junior Josh Neal who played together last year at first doubles. Senior Killian Jirka (second doubles last season) is also back. Said Heistand: “(We’re) looking to have a good season, and see our hard work pay off.”
 
Waynesville
First-year head coach Benjamin Woo inherits a line-up that includes seniors Riley Glaser (first singles) and David Fessler (second doubles); juniors Oriah Foley (Third singles), Owen Strong (first doubles) and Owen Almeter (first doubles); and sophomore Mason Stachler (second singles). 

SWBL Spring Previews: Girls Lacrosse

Bellbrook
The Eagles and second-year head coach Sarah Woll return a strong nucleus from last year’s 7-9-1 squad. Key returners include seniors Bella Vaughn (A/M) and Kaitlyn Kwik (A); juniors Ava Praeter (M/D), Ashtyn Praeter (A) and Lily Westwood (D/A); and sophomore Ashley Filburn (M).
 
Edgewood
Kristin Butler takes over as head coach after being a volunteer varsity assistant during last year’s 7-10 campaign. “We are hoping to continue to make strides to improve the program,” Butler said. “We are hoping for more wins this season and a greater understanding of the game for our athletes.” Key returners for the Cougars are senior Sarah Wiest (attack) and junior Kamyden Buck (MF)
 
Oakwood
Second-year head coach Robert Rando and the Jills (9-10 last year) will field a young team. Building the program’s culture and overall skill is the goal. Key contributors will be Sarah Connell, Claudia Butler, Isa Porter, Taylor Brown, Ellie Adkisson, Natalie Riedel and Phoebe Woods

SWBL Spring Previews: Boys Lacrosse

Bellbrook
The Eagles must replace two All-Region players, but have high expectations this season with several key pieces back from last year’s regional semifinal team that won two tournament games before falling to Mariemont. Seniors Jacob Umina (D) and Alex Florea (G) headline the defense. Senior Logan Mozingo (M) returns after earning All-Region 8 honors last year. 
 
Edgewood
First-year head coach Robert Ballantyne inherits a program coming off its first postseason win. Duplicating that is the goal. The roster is young, but contains some solid veteran leadership. Key returners include seniors Connor Ballantyne (middie), Mason McQueen (middie) and Tyler Woodrome (defense) and junior Leland Beerman (attack). 
 
Franklin
The Wildcats are coming off a 13-5 season and have high aspirations. The roster is littered with talent. Junior Dawson Fitzpatrick (M) and senior Ryan Kerns (D/LSM) were All-Region 8 last year. Fitzpatrick led the team in assists (35) and added 21 goals for 56 points. Junior Danny Fitzpatrick (M) also returns after scoring 48 goals and dishing out 18 assists. Senior Iain Wells returns in goal where he went 8-4 with 161 saves last season. Keep an eye on sophomore Trevor Deaton (A/M) who had 23 points last spring. 
 
Oakwood
Several significant contributors were lost to graduation from the Lumberjacks squad that beat Jonathan Alder in the first round of the OHSAA playoffs last year, before losing to St. Charles in the regional quarterfinals and finishing 8-6. Oakwood has three seniors, but a number of lettermen return and a cast of varsity newcomers, specifically on defense, will help fill holes. A challenging 16 game schedule awaits. Key returners include seniors PJ Bremner (attack) and Carter Stack (goalie) and juniors Carsen Dinkler (midfield), Ben Hick (attack) and Ian Bohaboy (defense). Aaron Hemler (27-18 career record) has been head coach for four years after spending the previous eight as an assistant. “I am excited about the potential of the 2024 team,” Hemler said. “The mix of young talent with experienced returning varsity players should set us up for a successful season.”

SWBL Gameday Grille & Patio Athletes of the Week

The Southwestern Buckeye League is proud to introduce the SWBL Athlete of the Week program for the 2023-24 school year. The SWBL AOW is sponsored by Gameday Grille & Patio. Each Tuesday during the school year, a male and female scholar-athlete will be selected Athletes of the Week and announced on site. Winners will receive an award patch for their varsity jacket, a $25 gift card to Gameday and an SWBL AOW T-Shirt. An athlete may win the award once per season. Nominations will come from athletic directors, coaches and data (stats, results) entered on the SWBL website. Individuals may also submit nominations to swblsid@yahoo.com.

Boys: Mark Ellis, Waynesville Wrestling

Senior finished the season 44-8 and fourth at 144-pounds in Division III at the OHSAA Wrestling State Championships. He also won the SWBL title at 144. Finished second at the D-III Versailles Sectional and third at the D-III Troy Regional.

Girls: Maycee Adams, Eaton Wrestling

Freshman finished the season 38-8 and fifth at 105-pounds at the OHSAA State Wrestling Meet. Also finished first at the Region 1 Pre-Regional Tournament at Greeneview and second at the Region 1 Regional Tournament at Harrison.

SWBL Spring Previews: Boys Volleyball

Edgewood
The Cougars field the only boys volleyball team in the SWBL and are coming off the best season in school history (13-10). Head coach Mark Blair welcomes back a solid nucleus from that squad and several starters that played club in seniors Jonah Combs (OH), Hayden Honchul (MB), Zack Moore (S) and Tanner Taggart (L). Moore has a shot at the career assist record. Said Blair: “Expecting these guys to bring some excitement back to Edgewood volleyball after COVID decimated our program in 2020.”