The Chelsea boys varsity tennis team wrapped up their season at the state tournament in Mason on Saturday, October 15. The team placed fourth in the state for Division 3, tying with East Grand Rapids. Two Chelsea doubles teams made it to the semifinals before being defeated. Junior Julien Korner was a runner-up for the Bulldogs in four singles. While the team finished fourth overall, it was the best the Chelsea boys team had ever placed. 

Korner knocked off the fourth seed, Sturgis, to start. A Detroit Country Day player was disqualified, so he advanced to the finals. In the finals, he fell short to Cranbrook, ending his season as state runner-up. 

Junior Mason Strach had a great season as well, also falling to Cranbrook at the station championship.

 “We fought hard and I lost to a good Cranbrook team,” Strach said. 

When asked about what it’s like to have only one more season of high school tennis, Strach said “it’s weird knowing I only have one more year, but it’ll be interesting to see where some of us end up playing in college.” 

When asked to revisit a positive memory from the experience, Strach highlighted the great coaching along with the strong bond throughout the team and its players. Strach looks to come back better than ever next season, finishing as state champion. 

Another junior, Jack Murray, also had a great season, but lost his opener in a three-set match. Still, Murray says he is proud of the performance overall.

“I thought I played pretty well, as well as my partner,” Murray said.

Murray knows that it’s going to be tough to win a state championship next year, but he believes that they can. In order to do so, the Bulldogs must defeat powerhouse opponents Ann Arbor Greenhills and Cranbrook.

A positive from states for Murray was the relationships built within the team, and the support the teammates had for each other. Just like Strach, Murray plans on coming back next season better than ever, hoping to finish as a state champion. 

Other bulldog players such as JP Chinavare (‘23) and Owen McCulloch (‘24) reached the semifinals in doubles. Joshua O’Brien (‘23) and Quinn Tjernagel (‘23) gave the number one seed Greenhills a good fight, but couldn’t end up with a win. 

Next season, the Bulldogs plan on being right back where they ended at states. But this time, finishing as the champions.