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Western Panthers Boys Tennis

By Mike Moore                                          Photo Courtesy Western Athletics

Staff Writer

 

Parma — Each year has its own unique flavor, a different twist on what’s come before and what’s to come in the future.

 

Yet, as the Western boys tennis team prepares for this weekend’s state finals at Hope College, well, the feel is all-to-familiar.

 

Now, the guys hope the finish is something entirely different.

 

“This is something you have to enjoy every year,” coach Doug Blume said of his program’s streak of five consecutive trips to the state finals. “Mainly because, every year you have new guys competing.”

 

This year took on a new look when the Panthers were shifted in regionals and competed in Haslett.

 

“It was a tough regional, with some highly ranked teams,” Blume said.

 

Yet his guys did what they always seem to do — taking home the regional title for the fifth year in a row.

 

“We had a real good feeling his could be our year,” Blume said. “We had talent back and the guys were ready. We won some big tournaments throughout the season, which got us ready for this.”

 

Regional champs for the Panthers included Charlie Dobben (No. 2 singles), Jon Shaw (No. 4), Tyler Blume and Isaac Hawkins (No. 1 doubles), Noah Archer and Cam Blakemore (No. 2), Killian Soper and Paul Buchholz (No. 3) and Bryce Chesney and Nic Archer (No. 4).

 

Jadon Engle (No. 1 singles) and Alex Inosencio (No. 3 singles) were each runners-up.

 

The Panthers finished seventh in 2016 and 2015 at the finals, the highest marks in program history.

 

“We’re hoping to improve on that,” Blume said. “We’ve seen a lot of teams below us, and we know what we’re capable of. I think finishing in the top five is possible.”

 

“For us to do that, what we’re looking for is every guy to win a couple rounds,” he added. “If we can do that we’ll be in contention. We need some guys in the semifinals, which may be tough. But that’s something they can do. This is a tournament-tested team. Guys understand how to play strong on these days. We have the senior leadership, and we’re looking forward to this next challenge.”

 

Mike Moore is a play-by-play commentator and Sports Writer for JTV Sports.

 

He’s also a Realtor with Real Estate One, specializing with buyers and sellers throughout Michigan, from the Jackson area to metro Detroit. You can reach him at mmoore@realestateone.com or by calling (313) 770-6365 with any inquiries.

 

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