Eastern Hancock’s Zeke Dixon returns serve against New Palestine’s Ezra Schwier in the semifinals of the sectional on Thursday, Sept. 30, 2021.
Tom Russo | Daily Reporter
CHARLOTTESVILLE — Coming off their second Mid-Eastern Conference championship in the last three years, Eastern Hancock’s boys tennis team has the experience and talent to do something that hasn’t been done in 20 years.
If the Royals repeat as conference champions, it will be their first consecutive conference crowns since winning White River Athletic Conference championships from 1999-2002.
The players are in place for what would be an impressive feat.
The Royals return two conference champion singles players and two doubles players that were part of MEC titles.
Back for his fourth year as a varsity singles player, Zeke Dixon leads the way for the Royals at No. 1 singles.
Luke Schilling, a sophomore, returns to his spot at No. 3, where he won a conference title as a freshman.
Bryce Wennen, like Dixon, has been part of the varsity lineup since his freshman season. He has been a stalwart in doubles most of his career. He won a conference title a year ago, his third straight, with Wyatt Sutton – who is now playing baseball at IU-Columbus. Bryce will team with his younger brother Myles Wennen, a sophomore, this year.
At No. 2 doubles, sophomore Boaz Dixon, Zeke’s younger brother, will work with another veteran, senior Peyton Stephens.
The senior played both No. 1 and No. 2 doubles last year. He and Myles Wennen won the MEC title at No. 2 doubles.
A newcomer moves in at No. 2 singles. Freshman Luke Fletcher, according to second-year head coach Chris Zeilinga, is already the hardest-hitter when it comes to serving.
Nolan Stout, a graduate from a year ago, won the MEC title at No. 2 singles, but Zeilinga believes the team shouldn’t skip a beat with the talented freshman.
“We’re rolling back with pretty much the same team,” Zeilinga said. “We’ve got some youth and we have some experience. I think we have a chance to go compete with everybody in the county this year.”
Senior Cole Fuchs is another with potential to work his way into a varsity spot.
The Royals have 13 players, including senior Joey Blocher, juniors Seth Richey and Aden Garrison and freshmen Josiah Swagger and Jalen Helderbrand.
“Our goals are conference, (Hancock) County and sectional,” Zeilinga said. “That’s saying a lot because we are the smallest school in the county, by far. We have a lot of kids that have been in the fight. We have some real experience coming back. But, every time you’re dealing with Mt. Vernon, New Pal and Greenfield. That’s a tall task.”
“All those schools are good and well-coached.”
The Royals are scheduled to open the season Monday with a home match against Randolph Southern. They’ll travel to Randolph Southern on Aug. 27 for a shot at a second straight MEC title.
