“Just to be a part of such a talented group of players for a match was truly an honor,” junior Tyler George said, who was pulled up from the junior varsity team to play 4 singles for the home match against Greenville.

Tyler, along with the rest of the team, won all of their matches today and completed the 5-0 sweep against conference opponent Greenville. Junior Peyton Herbert, one of the 5 that won today, is traditionally a doubles player, but was put at 3 singles for the match today.

“I think I transitioned pretty well until the second set,” Peyton said. “I just wasn’t used to going for so long during points.”

Junior Michael Batiste, who also made the transition to singles, believes that this may not have been the toughest opponent they have faced all year. This win got the Rangers one step closer to their third straight state championship.

“I am really excited about having the opportunity to be back to back to back state champions,” Michael said. “It will be a close one this year, Midland Dow has been playing really good. We need to step up our game a little bit and I think we will be able to get the title.”

FHC played a tough Midland Dow team yesterday and lost to the 1st ranked team in a difficult 7-1 match. Although the Rangers may have lost, Coach Dan Bolhouse believes that playing tough competition has been the key to their last 2 state championships.

“We’ve played some really tough competition in the beginning of the season,” said Bolhouse, who is looking to win his 3rd state championship in his 3rd year as the head coach of the Rangers. “We’re still working each and every practice and every match, as the season goes on. We play a very demanding schedule, with most of the top teams in the state. We don’t go through the season undefeated but we get better with every match.”

FHC looks to continue its early season success and carry its momentum into their next matches against West Ottawa, FHE, and Holland Christian.

“I am looking forward to these next 3-4 weeks and when we qualify for states,” Bolhouse said. “Hopefully the tennis that we are playing is good enough to win a state championship.”