Howard County boys and girls tennis teams are excited for a conventional 2022 season after the past two seasons.
The regional tournament is scheduled to begin May 13 with the state tournament quarterfinals and semifinals scheduled for May 26-27. The season concludes on May 28 with the state finals at Wilde Lake Tennis Club in Columbia.
Centennial, Howard, Marriotts Ridge and Mt. Hebron are in Class 3A East Region I. Atholton, Long Reach, Reservoir, River Hill and Wilde Lake are in also in Class 3A East, but Region II. Glenelg, Hammond and Oakland Mills represent the final three teams in Class 2A West Region II.
With the regular season underway, here is a preview of the tennis season ahead.
Atholton
Coach: Wendy Heger, second season
Top returning players: Jason Lilly and Jessica Zhou
On the court: Both Lilly and Zhou will be the Raiders’ No. 1 singles players for the boys and girls teams, respectively. Atholton also returns several other seniors in David Szympruch, Nico Taber, Rissah Remy and Steven Tzeng. Outside of the returners, the Raiders welcome in some young talented young players like freshmen Aryan Singh, Aiden Kwon and Sam Li.
Coach’s outlook: “We have a lot of new players this year. Looking to build a fun, strong, confident team that loves tennis and loves being on our team.”
Centennial
Coach: Erin Parisi, 10th season
Last season: Boys 8-3, Girls 9-2
Top returning boys: Seniors Eric Huang, Ryan Huang and Danny Ho; sophomore Vijay Jagarapu.
Top returning girls: Seniors Rose Huang and Sarah Blackman; sophomores Michelle Fradlin and Joanna Blackman
On the court: For the boys, Eric Huang and Ryan Ho are looking to build on strong junior seasons. They finished the regular season 9-0 as the No. 1 doubles pairing. The strong doubles tandem continued their success into the postseason rattling off three consecutive victories, before a loss in the regional final. For the girls, Fradlin is coming off a phenomenal first varsity season. She had a strong regular season as the No. 2 singles player, but found even more success in doubles. Fradlin and Rose Huang won the 3A state girls doubles championship, dominating many of their matches. Freshman Avy Ramreddy is a newcomer to watch this season.
Coach’s outlook: “Our girls team graduated a number of players last year and we have a young group ready to take the court and enjoy everything about high school varsity tennis. Our boys team has some stellar returners and some new returners eager to learn from their more experienced teammates.”
Glenelg
Coach: Jennifer Shepard, third season
Last season: Boys 6-5, girls 5-6
Top returning boys: Senior Mitchell Steinberg; sophomore Lukas Zakalskis
Top returning girls: Junior Ava Stamatakis.
On the court: Steinberg won seven doubles matches in the shortened 2021 season and will look to build on that this season. In his first varsity season, Zakalskis won five matches as a freshman, adjusting well to the varsity level. For the girls, Stamatakis enjoyed an impressive sophomore season tallying five wins, looking to further that success during the 2022 season.
Coach’s Outlook: “We are looking forward to a full season of play. Our young players will get the match experience this year to grow into strong technical players.”
Hammond
Coach: Timothy McCray, first season
Last season: Boys 0-9, Girls 2-9
Top returning boys: Senior Hussain Muhammad; junior Colin Ward; sophomores Sohan Modi, Brandon Nugyen and Huy Tran
Top returning girls: Juniors Ronia Agyeman, Megan Martin, Cingh Cing and Olivia Ametewee; sophomore Shivanni Selvan.
On the court: The Golden Bears are looking to improve their record from last season, with plenty of returning experience for both the boys and girls teams. Outside of the returners for the boys, both seniors Nathaniel Lamb and Russell Hong are looking to provide added depth. In addition, the boys team has four sophomores and a freshman that will enhance the competition within the program. For the girls, Selvan is coming off a terrific freshman season as the No. 1 singles player, finishing the regular season undefeated. Agyeman and Martin are looking to build on their rapport as a doubles tandem last season. Some of the newcomers with great potential include freshman Alison Bent, who has proven to be a heavy hitter.
Coach’s outlook: “Building upon last season successes under the tutelage of previous head coach Brian Gieselman and assistant coach Timothy McCray, the chemistry and competitiveness the girls are developing and showing gives reason for excitement this season.”
Howard
Coach: Chip Boling, 15th season
Last season: Boys 9-1-1, Girls 8-3
Top returning boys: Seniors Jeff Harvey and Tyson Nguyen; juniors Alex Brosseau and Savvas Bifsas.
Top returning girls: Seniors Presley Caroland, Marina Kim and Viola Yu; junior Corinne Chau,
On the court: Brosseau is coming off an impressive sophomore season where he was a 4A state semifinalist in mixed doubles. During the regular season, he finished with an 8-2 record playing doubles. Bifsas also enjoyed a strong sophomore campaign reaching the regional finals, competing in boys doubles. For the girls, Chau was Brosseau’s partner in mixed doubles capturing a regional championship and reaching the state semifinals. Caroland and Kim is looking to cap off their high school careers strongly after making the regional finals in girls doubles. Outside of the returners, a newcomer to watch is freshman Effie Bifsas.
Coach’s outlook: “For our boys we have a solid corps of players. Our newcomers are solid players but still have a lot to learn. The team should compete hard in all matches. For our girls, we return our entire team from last year. Players have been working hard in the offseason and we should be in every match throughout the year.”
Marriotts Ridge
Coach: Scott Dingman, 17th season
Last season: Boys and girls both 14-2
Top returning boys: Seniors Pedro Arantes Gabriel, Sai Charan Chodavarapu and Shreyas Rath
Top returning girls: Senior Anna Ottman; junior Charita Sandoze
On the court: For the boys, the Mustangs return several key experienced players and will look build on an impressive 2021 season. A newcomer to watch for the boys this season is sophomore Mukundh Boopathi. For the girls, they’ll miss Gabby Tseytlin who graduated and finished last season undefeated as the No. 2 singles player. However, her and Ottman also teamed up for several matches last season proving to be a formidable duo.
Coach’s outlook: “I believe we have two solid teams with good depth from top to bottom.”
Oakland Mills
Coach: Christina Hewitt, fifth season
Top returning players: Luke Carlsen, Noad Asres, Ella Kerechanin and Estella Brummell
On the court: The Scorpions are one of the youngest teams in the county. Outside of the returners, some newcomers to watch for both the boys and girls teams are Neloni Mcentire-Mfume, Ashlynn Ramrattan and Michael Mfume. With that combination of returning and newer players, Oakland Mills is looking to show sustained improvement.
Coach’s outlook: “Overall, we have a really young team with only three seniors. Several returners have made great improvements while working hard in the off-season. I am excited to see this team compete and improve every day.”
River Hill
Coach: Kelley Pfefferkorn, seventh
Last season: Boys and girls both 11-0
Top returning players: Junior Alex Artazov; sophomore Adelaide Houston.
On the court: Artazov is coming off a phenomenal 2021 season where he was named the Howard County Boys Tennis Player of the Year. He finished 7-0 during the regular season as the Hawks No. 1 singles player. The junior captured a regional title but saw his quest for perfection end in the state finals. For the girls, Houston enjoyed an impressive freshman campaign. She finished the regular season 7-2, losing in the regional final. A newcomer to watch for the girls team is freshman Adele Lair.
Coach’s outlook: “We are optimistic for the coming season. The players are working hard to be competitive in a tough Howard County league. We are fortunate to have several players who performed well at the region/state tournament last spring.”
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