The seniors on the Seymour boys tennis team are, from left, manager Tori Fee, Joe Schmidt, Drew Handloser, Jacob Rennekamp and Bryce Peters.
Dakota Locker | The Tribune
The 2023 Seymour boys tennis team began its season earlier this week for the first time under new head coach Jacob Hunt.
Hunt served as the assistant to the boys but will now be the head coach for the girls and boys varsity teams at Seymour High School.
The first-year head coach works with 15 boys throughout the entire Owls program.
Seniors on the team include Joe Schmidt, Drew Handloser, Jacob Rennekamp and Bryce Peters.
Juniors on the roster are Parker Thompson, Joel Stevens, Xavier DuBois, Griffin Eggers and Abram Yee.
The sophomores are Shun Takeuchi and Yuto Chinda.
Freshmen on the team include Carter Stein, Cash McNeely, Braylon Busby and Colin Hartung.
“Schmidt will be our No. 1 singles player this season,” Hunt said. “He has always been a real asset to the team. He’s making the jump from doubles to singles.”
Hunt said Handloser is very good at mental tennis.
“He’s always positive and continues to move forward,” Hunt said. “Drew is also someone we can lean on to help battle back against good teams.”
Thompson is another returning varsity player as a junior.
“He has seen quite a jump in his abilities this season,” Hunt said. “Since making the jump from doubles to singles, his technique and form have vastly improved already.”
Stein is the No. 3 singles competitor this season.
“He has come so far already,” Hunt said. “We know he will be someone we can depend on as he grows in the next four years. We will need to depend on him a lot.”
Takeuchi and Stevens are both stepping up on varsity this year, Hunt said.
“They are both great team players who bring a lot of energy,” the coach said. “They are also kids who have a lot of room to grow during the season.”
DuBois is playing No. 2 doubles this year.
“He brings the most energy on the team,” Hunt said. “He’s always getting players hyped up, and he always shows up ready to go with confidence.”
Hunt feels good about how the Owls stack up with other Hoosier Hills Conference competitors.
“I’m feeling really good about this year in our conference,” he said. “Last year, we finished runner-up in the conference. We know we will have a rematch with Floyd Central, who is an incredibly strong team. We need to repeat the mojo we had last season, players coming in and stepping up and not complicating things, playing consistently and just trying to make the most out of the game.”
The coach spoke on what it will take to have a successful season.
“I think in order to have a successful season, I want the kids to focus on the mental side of the game of tennis,” Hunt said. “The technique is there. The ability to play tennis is there. We play strong teams. We just need to have the mental approach to battle things out and be mentally strong.”