Members of Marysville’s boys tennis team are from left, front row, Bryer Miller, Cooper Harvey, Zach Nusbaum, Jonathan Sharrock and Jacob Weigand; second row, Ethan Keifer, Wilson Yelles, Kyrell Stauffer, Ethan Sterlin, Soorya Loganand and Eric Sterin; third row, Jacob Burhanna, Lincoln Walker, Will Nuspl, Evan Fetzer and Jacob Nicholson; fourth row, assistant coach Bill Romine, Brady Scott, Noah Burhanna, Gianni Russo, Arcadian Crone and head coach Brian Ash.
(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)
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There are several lettermen returning to the tennis court this spring for Marysville High School.
Those veterans include seniors Noah Burhanna (second singles), Kyrell Stauffer (first doubles) and Jonny Sharrock (second doubles).
Junior lettermen are Gianni Russo (first singles), Will Nuspl (third singles), Brady Scott (second doubles) and Zach Nusbaum (second doubles).
Russo will continue to man the first singles position.
He posted a 15-5 record as a sophomore and was a district tournament qualifier.
“Gianni is looking to become Marysville’s first state qualifier in boys tennis,” said coach Brian Ash.
Burhanna, who went 9-8 during 2023 matches, is looking to improve.
“Noah is ready to improve on his record,” said Ash. “He could potentially play doubles by the time of the sectional tournament.”
Nuspl (8-6) is expected to play third singles.
“Will is very steady from the baseline and takes coaching very well,” said Ash. “He should have another very strong season.”
Stauffer could team with freshman Soorya Logan at first doubles.
There could be a combination of players playing second doubles at one time or another.
Sharrock, Scott, Nusbaum and Jacob Burhanna (another freshman) will all see action in that slot.
“Our doubles teams have struggled the past few years,” said Ash. “We’re hoping to turn that around with more doubles team focus prior to match play.
“We’ll see several players at second doubles,” he said. “They are all competent players, so it’s not a bad problem to have.”
Ash said the Monarchs’ goal is to tally 10-plus victories.
They went 8-6 during the 2023 season and placed fourth in the Ohio Capital Conference Cardinal Division.
“Once again, we may have a shot at No. 1 in our division,” said Ash. “Our key opponents will be Dublin Jerome, Olentangy and Olentangy Berlin.”
New Albany will be among the top teams throughout the OCC, regardless of division.
“New Albany will easily be the team to beat,” said Ash. “They are returning most of their 2023 (third in the Division I state tournament) team.
“Olentangy Orange and Olentangy Liberty will also have very strong teams.”