MIAA tennis champions seek to extend their reigns in 2025

by Nelson Coffin

Having won nine of the last 10 A Conference tennis crowns, Gilman has surpassed the threshold of what it takes to be a dynasty.

Should it prevail again this spring, Boys’ Latin would become only the second B Conference program to earn four consecutive titles, matching Archbishop Curley’s run from 1996-1999.

Although Glenelg Country School’s goal of going back-to-back in the C Conference is a bit more modest, it would still put the Dragons closer to equaling Key’s 2021-2023 reign.

All three of those schools will soon be in the thick of conference chases while competing to be the last team standing in early May.

A CONFERENCE

Gilman made sure that its hiatus from finishing atop the A Conference was short-lived when it swept McDonogh, 5-0, last spring to earn the program’s ninth league team title in the last 10 seasons under coach Steve Krulevitz.

After holding down No. 2 singles on that team, senior Alex Nabit heads the Greyhounds’ ladder this season for a squad that boasts four freshmen, including twins Jason and Nathaniel Gong.

They aren’t the only brothers on the roster. Senior George Khairallah and freshman sibling Billy are also part of the Greyhound family.

As for a rookie ready to make an immediate impact, look for Kiran Milak in No. 3 singles to be right in the thick of things.

Gilman will have a better idea of what it has after an encounter with McDonogh on April 3.

“It’s  going to be tight,” Krulevitz said. “I think we can win singles, but it’s going to be a grind. We’re young, but it’s doable.”

Calvert Hall will also skew very young with freshman Austin Chhun and Francis Ceballos playing the top spots and senior Christian Coulson manning No. 3 singles.

Seniors Connor Gibbs, TJ Barzack, Tim Gonzal and Andrew Murray join sophomore David Susko to fill the doubles’ slots.

Coach David Mast said that he and the Cardinals hope to continue winning championships after claiming a varsity and a JV crown that last two seasons.

Because No. 1 singles player Hunter Gilroy is sidelined with a serious injury, Severn has had to make several adjustments to its lineup.

That means the Admirals will go with first-time player Luca Gargagliano in the top spot. The spirited sophomore may lack the competitive experience of most of his rivals, but he matches their effort.

“He plays hard and never quits,” Severn coach Bill Gilroy said.

The coach said that the same can be said for classmate Ryan Forgione, who will fill the second singles’ slot.

“Both of them want to get better,” Bill Gilroy added. “They’re working hard at it.”

Senior captain Jackson Burke will take the No. 3 singles position while junior Cole Christensen is the team’s spark plug.

“We’re trying to gain experience for next year,” Bill Gilroy said. “And I think we will be very competitive.”

B CONFERENCE

Boys’ Latin features a strong lineup of seniors — Eli Holder, Charlie London, Evan Rosen, Jake Jones, Max Riter and Johannes Matthews — to continue its recent dominance in league play.

The Lakers have been pretty good against A Conference teams as well, notching victories over Calvert Hall and Loyola Blakefield last month.

Holder will take the No. 1 singles position, “setting a positive example for the team in terms of effort and sportsmanship,” coach Rich Zielaskiewicz said.

The No. 1 doubles team, consisting of Riter and junior Logan Roth, will be a formidable pair due to their chemistry and experience, the coach added.

Key’s second season in the B Conference will benefit from senior Luke Holmes at No. 1 singles and junior Morgan Schaefer holding down the second slot. Holmes returns after a year studying abroad to team with his freshman brother, Tate, who has nailed down No. 3 singles’ position.

Juniors Jeffrey Mullin, Scott Sabean and Ian Hedgecoth and sophomores Sam Kursban and Matei Dean round out the squad.

After claiming four of the past six C titles, the Obezags will look to be more competitive after going 1-6 in the B last year, coach Will Rogers said.

“Our three singles players have a shot to be among the top players in the conference, and we will look to further develop them and our doubles teams over the course of the season,” he added.  

Archbishop Spalding boasts a trio of returning starters, senior Nathan Winn and juniors Cody Winn, Alex Fatula and Moe Lonergan, who are all primed for a successful season  

Freshman Max Hauswirth should also nail down a singles’ slot.

“We have a full JV this year and several freshmen who will contribute in future years, including Geoffrey McKee,” coach Jon Jacobson said. “We should be competitive in most matches and we always have a positive season because the boys are very positive and work hard.”

Coach Hoa Cost is not kidding when she says that Friends is senior-heavy this spring, with four returning senior starters back in the fold.

Three members of that group, captains Todd Abell, Mason Cost and  Ramsey Kissack  will play singles, while Sam Balter will anchor the No. doubles tandem.  A fifth senior, Yipeng Lu, is an exhibition player at this point.

Co-coach, Bertin Karenzi, a senior tennis player at Morgan State, “has the skills, is experienced with competition, and the ability to connect and inspire our players,” Hoa Cost said.

John Carroll will move forward with junior Sebastian Cole and sophomores Owen Feury and Logan Wilkins as its top singles players

The doubles’ slots will be filled with juniors Dylan Vo and John Hoang and sophomores Will Gatsoulas and Tommie Wysong.

A slew of sophomores, Bennett Hyman, Brian Moran, Quinn Haisfield, Jackson Limmer and Mateo Morgan, add depth and spirit.

"As a first-year head tennis coach at John Carroll, I am very excited to get to know the team,” coach Kevin Chalk said. “We are a very young team as there were many seniors who graduated last year, but that also will allow for opportunities for growth. I really want to work on building the team until they have confidence in their technique and in their competitiveness, and I'm confident that we will get there. I've already seen improvements in the few short weeks we've had so far this season."

C CONFERENCE

St. Mary’s will provide a lineup that features junior: Luke Feldtmose in No. 1 singles, senior Jon Jones at No. 2 and sophomore Demond Scott in the third slot.

Seniors Jack Gagnier and Ben Tominovich will join forces in No. 1 doubles while junior Grady White '26 and sophomore Leo Brianas are the second twosome.

“We have several players that have moved up from JV and their game has improved from last season,” coach Diane Williams said. “But we still have a lot of work ahead.”

After finishing last in the conference last year, Annapolis Area Christian School has loftier goals this spring.

“I expect us to finish in the top half in 2025,” coach Bill Bloomquist said, noting that the Eagles return five starters joining two very strong newcomers.

Junior transfer Allen Perry “is the strongest player we have had at AACS during my 13-year tenure as head coach,” Bloomquist added. “I expect him to help carry our team by winning most of his matches.

The No. 1 doubles team, senior Javi Flores and sophomore Seth VanderWall, should add more firepower to the resurgent Eagles.

This article will be updated as additional teams respond to our preseason questions.