Boys Varsity Tennis 10/17/2022 3:17:00 PM Ken Voreis | Sports Information Specialist

A young team carries CMA tennis to state quarterfinals

The Culver Military Academy's boys tennis team lost to Homestead of Fort Wayne 3-2 in the IHSAA state quarterfinals on Friday. The other semifinal match pitted Harrison of West Lafayette against Columbus North.

The match, played at Carmel High School, started with a 2-0 deficit as CMA's #2 and #3 singles were defeated early. #2 Fredrik Morsches '23 (Kansas City, Missouri) and #3 Peter Bilicic '25 (Del Mar, California) gave valiant efforts, and even though they lost, were able to cheer on their teammates later in the match. These cheers would prove useful as the team began to rally.

CMA's #1 singles player Tyler Li '25 (La Jolla, California) started the rally off strong with a decisive victory over Homestead's Stephen Meyer (6-1, 6-2). Even though the team lost, Li advanced to the individual state semifinals after posting an 18-1 regular season record, and a 6-0 tournament record. Li plays 10 a.m. Saturday.

Coach Alan Loehr remained calm throughout the match. He anticipated the match coming down to the two doubles teams.

The next win came from the #2 doubles team, as John Allen '25 (Canton, Georgia) and William Tullis '25 (South Bend, Indiana) defeated their Homestead counterparts 6-1 and 6-2.

With the match tied at 2-2, the #1 doubles was decisive. CMA's Dominic Hayden '23 (Boise, Idaho) and Samuel Meares '24 (Maryville, Tennessee) played an incredible match against Homestead's Alex Graber and Max Holliday. CMA opened the match with a 1-0 lead after winning 7-6. Homestead won the second set 6-4.

Things were not looking good after Hayden and Meares started the third and final set down 5-1. The rest of the team, with additional support from Culver fans and parents, cheered their team from the brink of defeat several times during the incredible comeback. Hayden and Meares won four straight games to tie the set at 5-5. The comeback fell short, as Homestead won the next two sets to win the match 7-5.

In a post game speech, Hayden, addressed his team.

"I couldn't be prouder of this young team that has so much ahead of them," Hayden said. "You guys have so much potential, and I know you're going to work in the offseason to get even better. I know you are. I'm so glad I got to be here and finish out my final games with you guys. I wouldn't have it with anyone else. I love you guys."
Hayden then led his team in one final team breakdown.

CMA's tennis team looks to improve on this season's state quarterfinal appearance. The 2023 team returns their #1 and #3 singles players, as well as one-half of the #1 doubles team and the entire #2 doubles team. With two open varsity spots and a stable of young and eager junior varsity players, the potential is there for next year's team to be even better.

Print Friendly Version

Players Mentioned

John Allen: Sophomore

Peter Bilicic: Sophomore

Dominic Hayden: Senior

Tyler Li: Sophomore

Samuel Meares: Junior

Fredrik Morsches: Sophomore

William Tullis: Sophomore

Players Mentioned

John Allen
: Sophomore

Peter Bilicic
: Sophomore

Dominic Hayden
: Senior

Tyler Li
: Sophomore

Samuel Meares
: Junior

Fredrik Morsches
: Sophomore

William Tullis
: Sophomore