The #5 ranked Eagles, coming off a 2nd place finish at the OK-White Conference tournament behind D2 Favorite FHN and ahead of FHC, EGR, and BC, had strong seeds and positions at the Regional Tournament based on their season-long body of work.  The Eagles made good on those seeds, and clinched the program’s fourth straight regional title and trip to the D3 State Finals.  The Eagles also had 6 of 8 flights finish as Champions or Runners-Up. Having beaten EGR for the 3rd time in ten days, the Eagles proved they are the top D3 Team and one of the best teams on the West Side.

At #3 Doubles, Seniors Sam VanSchepen and Ethan “Gweeder” DeBlecourt avenged a loss to EGR from a week ago, steamrolling the Pioneers 6-2,6-4. The second set was tight for the duo, holding off a comeback and some close line calls.  Seniors Tanner “Lenny” Warners and Dream Kwon won in a walkover over EGR.  Having beaten EGR twice already this season, along with some key wins over east side teams, the team has only one loss heading into the State Finals at #1 Doubles. At #1 Singles, Senior Simon “Si Guy” Volkema closed out the individual Regional Championships for the Eagles, rolling Holland Christian in straight sets to cap an individual 4-Peat of championships.  With only 1 loss on the season, Volkema looks strong heading into the State Finals.

With a combined 9 points to bolster the Eagles, 3 flights reached the Regional Finals.  At #2 Singles, Senior Alex “Cookie” Cook has been reliable all season and he did not disappoint on Wednesday, reaching the finals before falling to a very tough Holland Christian opponent.  Cook closes his 4 year varsity career and is looking sharp heading into the Finals.  At #4 Doubles, Sophomores Parker Seth and Isaiah “Junior” Bos also reached the Finals, defeating Holland Christian in the Semis before flip flopping a conference win in a loss to EGR.  The new duo has come on lately though, after a tough first week the team beat EGR and FHC and looks like they could make a run at the Finals.  At #2 Doubles, Cade Boender and Charlie “Chi” Walters reached the finals to face EGR for the third time in 10 days.  The team, All-State from a year ago, came out showing grit in coming back from a deficit to win the first set before EGR rebounded to take the second and third.    

Securing the Championship over the Pioneers, Sophomore #3 Singles Lucas “El Jefe” Pinon and Freshman #4 Singles Callum Campbell won key 2 point matches for a combined 4 points.  Without those wins, the Eagles would have finished second to the Pioneers by one point, proving it was a total team effort with every flight securing points.  Pinon and Campbell have been improving all season and are peaking at the right time before State Finals.

This group of seniors: Cade Boender, Alex Cook, Ethan DeBlecourt, Aaron Dorner, Dream Kwon, Sam VanSchepen, Simon Volkema, Charlie Walters, and Tanner Warners have all contributed to the success of the Eagles not just this year but for four straight in some capacity.  This is one of the most decorated groups of seniors to come through the program with State Finalists, All-State, All-Area, All-Conference, and All-State Academic players. They look to put the exclamation point on a historic season at the State Finals next Friday and Saturday at the Midland Community Tennis Center.