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Grand Rapids Christian High School

Boys Varsity Tennis


Game Summaries & Headlines.

Boy's Tennis Team Takes 8th Place at State Finals


4.0 years ago @ 11:45AM
Game Date
Oct 18, 2019

Coming off their back to back Regional Titles, the Eagles came into the State Finals with 3 Flights seeded looking for their second straight top 5 finish from 4th place a year ago.  While the Eagles finished 8th, there were several successful flight performances to end the season.  At #1 Singles, sophomore Simon Volkema was seeded #6, #1 Doubles junior Grant Moorhead and sophomore Tanner Warners headed into the State Finals with an undefeated 28-0 record and the #2 seed, and #4 Doubles senior Owen Greer and sophomore Cade Boender were seeded #5.

At #1 Doubles, Moorhead/Warners made quick work of their first and quarterfinal round opponents, dropping a total of 4 games. Familiar foe EGR awaited the duo on the second day in the semifinals, with Moorhead/Warners already defeating them twice already this season.  The semifinal was an epic battle, EGR could not find a way around Warners's ridiculous net play and they simply could not break Moorhead down from the baseline.  The team's defense was superb as they took it to EGR defeating them 6-3,7-5 to reach the State Finals.  In the Finals, they fell to Ann Arbor Greenhills, another Division 3 undefeated team.  The team will most certainly earn First Team All-State Honors to go along with their First Team All-Conference recognition.

At #1 Singles, sophomore Simon Volkema was looking to reach the quarterfinals for the second straight year.  He accompished the feat by defeating Pinckney handily in the first round.  Volkema's groundstrokes and tenacity were on full display as he easily dispatched his opponent.  He fell to the #3 Seed from St. Clair in the second round, a player who went on to the Finals. Simon completed an outstanding campaign in his second year at #1 Singles, Simon will definitely be named to First Team All-State Team for the second straight year to go along with his First Team All-Conference honors.

At #4 Doubles, Greer/Boender faced off against Parma Western, a team they had defeated earlier this season.  They crushed their opponents in the first set 6-0, as they maintained solid focus.  The second set was a bit tougher, as Western picked up their play and some nerves started to creep in.  The duo shut the door forcefully on any comeback, as Greer's ferocious net play and Boender's serve took over.  In the quarterfinals, they faced off against Country Day, the #4 seed.  The Eagles jumped out to a quick lead in the first set but could not hold on and lost 7-5.  They were not to be denied in the second set, winning 6-4.  Country Day won a tough third set.  Greer and Boender had a fantastic season.

At #2 Doubles, Senior Tri-Captain Devin Meeuwsen and sophomore Sam VanSchepen faced off against a scrappy Sturgis team but they came to play in cold conditions at Western Michigan University in the morning.  The pair showed there was also ice in their veins showing no nerves winning in straight sets 6-3,6-4.  Meeuwsen's serve was fire and VanSchepen proved too steady from the baseline.  The team fell in the next round to Country Day in straight sets but competed well, holding leads in both sets to conclude a fantastic season.

The Seniors, Tri-Captains Eli Kuiper, Devin Meeuwsen, and Jack Long, and Owen Greer and Daniel Betten conclude their careers as Eagle Tennis Players.  The seniors reflected grit and great team chemistry all season and will be dearly missed by the program for their ability, work ethic, cameraderie, and character.  Congratulations on a fantastic season! 

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