LAPEL — They aren’t just a good tennis team. They’re a good tennis program.
Amid yearly graduations, Lapel’s boys squad has continued to find a way to stay on top.
Heading into the 2021 season, Lapel has won eight straight sectional titles and seven straight Madison County crowns.
It graduated seven seniors from last year’s team, including three who were full-time varsity contributors.
Still, there is good reason the Bulldogs will be in the mix to continue their streaks.
Sophomore Jacob Erwin was 16-7 at No. 1 singles last year. Junior Isaac Bair, coming off an 18-7 campaign, is back at No. 2.
The Bulldogs also return the No. 1 doubles team of seniors Corbin Renihan and Landon Bair. They combined to go 16-2 in 2020.
“I think we could still have some depth,” said Justin Coomer, in his 12th season as head coach. “Our top four guys are back that played No. 1 and No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles, but No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles could be a lot of different people. Most of those guys are inexperienced. It’ll take a little time to figure that part out.”
Lapel graduated Camden Gooding in the singles spot and the duet of Nick Thalls-Ian Bailey in doubles.
Of those hoping to fill the openings, Coomer has a few guys who had spot duty on varsity last season, including juniors Grant Humerickhouse and Dakota Kimmerling. Mason Poynter is another junior who could find his place in the lineup. Shyam Lewis is a sophomore expected to be in the running.
“We have another six to eight guys that are capable of playing those spots,” Coomer added.
Though seven graduated, Coomer said his group is the largest he’s ever had.
There are 24 students out for the team and only three are seniors; Luke Loller joins Landon Bair and Renihan as members of the class.
Coomer added there is also a large group of eighth-graders on the middle school team, giving the potential of an even larger contingent in 2022.
The coach helped start the middle school program 10 years ago, and it has paid dividends, giving much-needed court experience to incoming high school players.
“It was crazy coaching a varsity sport where kids don’t touch a racket until their first day of high school practice,” Coomer said. “With having a team for sixth-, seventh-
and eighth-graders, they are three years ahead of the game against other schools we play that don’t have a middle school team.”
Lapel was scheduled to get its season underway at home, Monday, Aug. 16 against New Castle.
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2021 Lapel Boys Tennis Schedule
Date;Opponent;Time
Aug. 16;vs. New Castle;5 p.m.
Aug. 18;vs. Anderson;5 p.m.
Aug. 19;at Marion;5 p.m.
Aug. 21;at Greenfield-Central;10 a.m.
Aug. 24;at Heritage Christian;5 p.m.
Aug. 25;vs. Frankton (Mad. Co.);5 p.m.
Aug. 26: vs. TBD (Mad. Co.);TBD
Aug. 27;vs. TBD (Mad. Co.);TBD
Sept. 1;at Eastern Hancock;5 p.m.
Sept. 4;at Crawfordsville;9 a.m.
Sept. 7;vs. Elwood;5 p.m.
Sept. 9;vs. Frankton;4:30 p.m.
Sept. 14;vs. Eastern;5 p.m.
Sept. 15;at Kokomo;5 p.m.
Sept. 16;at Pendleton Heights;4:30 p.m.
Sept. 21;vs. Hamilton Heights;4:30 p.m.
Sept. 22;vs. Shenandoah;4:30 p.m.
Sept. 25;at Eastern Hancock Invitational;9 a.m.
Sept. 27;vs. Madison-Grant;5 p.m.
Sept. 29;at Sectional;TBD
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2021 Lapel Boys Tennis Roster
Name;Class
Landon Bair;Sr.
Luke Loller;Sr.
Corbin Renihan;Sr.
Ryder Aldrich;Jr.
Isaac Bair;Jr.
Nate Babb;Jr.
Grant Humerickhouse;Jr.
Mason Poynter;Jr.
Dakota Kimmerling;Jr.
Cody Baker;So.
Cooper Bilskie;So.
Jacob Erwin;So.
Drake Green;So.
Shyam Lewis;So.
Jamison McDole;So.
Burke Moore;So.
Caleb Pinkerton;So.
Corbin Pinkerton;So.
Sylas Griffin;Fr.
Bode Judge;Fr.
Brode Judge;Fr.
Fr. Jayden McDole;Fr.
Bode McClintock;Fr.
Kai Newman;Fr.
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