Boys Tennis is playing at IHSAA Sectionals on Wednesday, October 1st, and Thursday, October 2nd. The Royals are sending Brady Stump, Parker Stump, Evan Holderman, Logan Foust, Ian Ransom, and Max Wienberger to sectionals, where they will be competing at Fishers High School. Sectionals is one of the most important matches of the season, and the players understand that.
The Royals have had a successful season, finishing second at the HCC championships, and they look to continue their success at sectionals. HSE has been practicing diligently to ensure the team’s success at sectionals.
“Our practices leading up to sectionals have been a lot more focused,” said doubles player Ian Ransom. “We’re fine-tuning key parts of our game.”
The Royals know they will face fierce competition and want to make sure they are ready. Winning sectionals means a lot to HSE tennis, and they are willing to push themselves to make that possible.
Landon Osswald, a senior singles player, has a lot of motivation to make it far in sectionals. “Being a senior, I know every game can be my last,” Osswald said. He and every other senior are making sure they can play as many games as possible before their final season ends.
Tennis is widely known as one of the hardest mental sports, and with a match as important as sectionals, the mental pressure becomes heightened. Being able to combat the mental hardships of tennis is key to winning. For doubles player Ian Ransom, the mental side is always easier when he’s playing doubles: “Me and my partner are always encouraging each other. Team identity is always strong among the Royals, even though we play in separate singles and doubles matches. Whenever we can, we always support each other.”
“The beauty about high school tennis is that, unlike USTA or UTR tournaments, you are not alone,” Landon Osswald said. “You have teammates cheering you on and giving you support.”
One of boys’ tennis’s biggest strengths is their team unity, and they will use that to help them be successful in sectionals.
The Royals will compete hard at sectionals and ensure that all their hard work pays off. They are making sure they will be successful by working hard at practice and supporting and encouraging each other. “I am even more locked in while also enjoying the gift of getting to have pressure on me,” Landon Osswald said. “As few people get to go through and experience the joy of competing and having a chance to win a state tournament.”
