The Columbus Academy boys tennis team kicked off its season with four matches to secure a 3-1 overall record. 

The Vikes competed at Grandview Heights on Tuesday, April 6 and defeated the Bobcats with a 5-0 victory. Ryan Panley’22 started the match with a bang, defeating his opponent 6-2, 6-0 at first singles. Jake Stouffer’22 followed close behind with a 6-0, 7-5 win at second singles, before Druv Edamadaka’22 finished the singles bracket with an even 6-2, 6-2 victory at third singles. Cousins Arie Tuckerman’21 and Jack Madison’21 overwhelmed their opponents at first doubles, winning 6-0, 6-0, as Cory Wu’23 and Stefen Li’23 finished the matches with a 6-0, 6-1 record at second doubles.  

The next day, Wednesday, April 7, the boys hosted Upper Arlington. Madison was quickly defeated 2-6, 6-7 at first singles, and Tuckerman followed the trend with a 4-6, 6-7 loss at second singles. Anxious to snag a win for the Vikes, Panley conquered his opponent at third singles with a 6-1, 6-2 victory. The duo of juniors Sidd Amirneni and Jaswanth Vandrasi were edged out 2-6, 2-6 at first doubles, while Lucas Huang’21 and Saagar Arya’23 were defeated in a close match of 2-6, 5-7.

After a tough loss, our boys travelled to Lexington on Thursday, April 8. Madison started the match with a 6-1, 6-2 victory at first singles. Tuckerman continued the momentum, winning 6-2, 6-1. Arya fought hard but was overwhelmed with a 4-6, 6-7 loss, before Panley and Amirneni fell 3-6, 7-6 in first doubles. Huang and Vincent Sommer’24 brought home the win with a close match at second doubles, steamrolling their competitors 5-7, 6-1, 6-2. 

The same day, the boys faced off against Massillon Jackson to once again defeat their opponent 3-2. Tuckerman fumbled at first singles, falling 4-6, 2-6, before Madison rose to the challenge in second singles to secure a 6-2, 6-2 victory. Panley followed close behind with a 7-5, 6-3 win. Vandrasi and Stouffer kicked off the doubles round, conquering their opponent 7-5, 6-2. Li and Wu fought hard in the final match of the day but were overwhelmed with a 5-7, 2-6 loss. 

Our boys have a long week ahead, with four matches against tough competitors. The Vikes will host Olentangy and Bexley on Monday, April 12, and Tuesday, April 13, respectively– before traveling to Wellington on Wednesday, April 14. The Vikings will close out the week with a home match against St. Xavier on Friday, April 16.