Season opener is March 28 at home

By Cort Reynolds

For spring 2025, the Ada High School boys tennis team has 13 players on its roster led by one senior ace and coached by new mentor Carter Bivens.

Seven lettermen and five seniors are back from last season.

Pictured above) The Ada varsity tennis team, L-R, front row: Rey Hurley, Nathan
Williams, Tori Rausch, Luke Archer, Mohamad Khalil. Row 2: Steven Fisher, Peyton Karsten, Gio Hurley, Lawson Klingler. Back: Cayden Wise, Justin Bowden, Sam Crawford, Brandon Prater, head coach Carter Bivens.

Senior Nathan Williams easily tops the returnees. The quick southpaw has a good serve, fine speed and quickness, and a strong forehand. He was the top Bulldog player last spring and was one of the top two Ada netters as a sophomore.

Sophomore returnee Brandon Prater is expected to hold down the second singles spot.

Senior Luke Archer and junior Justin Bowden are expected to compete for the third singles position, and also play some doubles.

Senior Mohamad Khalil returns to the fold, along with classmate Rey Hurley, junior Sam Crawford and sophomores Lawson Klingler and Steven Fisher.

Newcomers are senior Torie Rausch, the lone girl on the team, juniors Peyton Karsten and Cayden Wise, and freshman Giovanni Hurley. 

“I think our singles probably will look like Nathan Williams and Brandon Prater somewhere at the top,” said Bivens. “Luke Archer, Justin Bowden are looking like strong additions as well and also could be in the running.

“Lawson, Mohamad, Rey, and Sam show promise for the season as well,” he noted. “Our goal is to be the most improved team by the end of the season. We also want Nate to get past districts this spring.”

Williams lost in the round of 16 at the Div. II districts in Port Clinton last spring.

“Coach Bass did a good job last season to help position us for this spring,” said Bivens. “We have potential. We need to work on footwork and refine our foundational games.”

Ada serves up its opener March 28 at home vs. Marion Harding at the park courts. The Bulldogs start the season with three scheduled home matches. The Northern Buckeye Tennis League tournament is May 9.

Pictured below) The returning Ada tennis lettermen, L-R, seated front: Nathan
Williams, Luke Archer, Mohamad Khalil. Standing back: Justin Bowden, Sam Crawford, Brandon Prater, Lawson Klingler.