Out of all of the teams in Michigan Division 2 high school tennis, just 21 schools are able to qualify for the state tournament. Not only did the Berkley tennis team make the state tournament for the second year in a row, but they also finished in 10th place, one of the highest in Berkley tennis history. From the outside looking in, this successful year appeared unlikely for Berkley. Berkley had graduated eight seniors in the offseason, and oftentimes this leads to regression from the year following, but not the Bears..
Many factors played into the tennis team’s successful season, but it all started with coaching. Berkley has terrific coaches who provide different coaching styles to make sure the team improves. Coach Sam Subia is a former player for the Berkley tennis team, but is now making a difference as one of the coaches this season. Subia provides technical insight to make sure each and every player improves their skill set. coach Aaron Rosen works day and night to make sure the team is where they need to be. Rosen is in charge of all the team scheduling and provides intel to the players to ensure they are prepared for each match. Finally is Allan Zamierowski. Although Coach Zamierowski is not always able to attend practices and matches, he makes a real difference when he’s there, by offering advice, and playing in on drills and real match scenarios
Berkley’s impressive state finish could not have been possible without impressive performances from various singles players and doubles teams. Sophomore Evan Weber was the only seeded player for Berkley this season at the one singles position. Weber received a bye in the first round and won a difficult match in the second round before just coming short in the third. Number two singles, sophomore Simon Babcock, had a dominant performance against Mattawan high school. Babcock was rewarded a free game in the second round due to his opponent being late, but it was not enough to take the victory. Sophomore Asa Somers and junior Wesley MacDonald won an impressive first-round match against Dexter, and in two doubles, junior Alden Ritter and senior Owen Church took the win in the first round as well. In one of the most important matches of Berkley’s season, junior Vinnie Holder and senior Noah Golembiewski had a triumphant win against Forest Hills Central in a tiebreaker at doubles four.
Sophomore Ari Schindler, who had a successful year at three doubles, explains that this 10th-place finish would not have happened without one key element: motivation. Schindler says, “Our success this year was from the motivation of our coaches and teammates.” He states, “If we were not uplifting each other, the overall energy of our season would have been completely different, and we would have definitely not placed top 10.” This was a memorable season for the Bears, but Schindler reveals, “The team’s best memory this season has to be going to states together, because it was our first time going to states in back-to-back years.”
Although there are so many memories to look back on from this season, the Berkley tennis team must look forward to next year’s goals. Sophomore Simon Babcock claims, “Our goal for next year is to finish top ten in the state again.” But to achieve this goal, the Bears have got to focus up in the offseason. “Everyone needs to work in the off-season and put everything they have into practice.” Babcock shares.
