After they were ranked No. 1 wire-to-wire in 2023 from the first day to the final meet, the Pella boys tennis team ended as it had the previous three seasons — with a loss to juggernaut Xavier in the state tennis finals last June.
While there’s no doubt it’s the Saints that are the preseason favorite to win a fifth consecutive title, the Dutch will remain a primary challenger this spring with several key returners.
Head Coach Josiah Brandt says it’s important to stress to the athletes to focus on the journey itself and to work to improve meet-to-meet and practice-to-practice, and that too much looking ahead — especially at their nemesis from Cedar Rapids, could become unhealthy if done too much.
Hear more from Brandt on this Saturday’s Hy-Vee Radio Coaches Corner. Pella is scheduled to open the season with North Polk and their state-qualifying Moon brothers next Tuesday, March 26th.
Key returners:
Jack Briggs, Senior
In a program filled with several all-state caliber players, Jack has added to that storied list as one of the few Pella tennis players to earn four-year full-time varsity starter status. The clear No. 1 on the team won eight of his 12 appearances in head-to-head duals in that spot last spring heading into the state finals, and paired with classmate Joshua Roozeboom to win the school’s first-ever state championship in Class 1A doubles. Briggs and his fiery spirit on the court translated to an offseason of pursuing the next step as a tennis player, and the future Central Dutch athlete will likely have a chance to chase the top of Class 1A this year as one of the state’s best overall players.
Joshua Roozeboom, Senior
Josh joined longtime neighbor and friend Jack Briggs to earn the school’s first-ever first place trophy in the program’s already storied history, and the youngest of a family of state qualifying tennis players is looking to finish his senior campaign strong. Josh was 7-4 before state in the No. 2 spot in dual meets for the Dutch and has made varsity appearances in each of the last three seasons. Roozeboom will likely be a key player in if the green and white can capture another top four finish.
Cameron Rowe, Senior
Cameron is coming off of a strong basketball campaign and was a key part in their run to Wells Fargo Arena. He is arguably the best overall athlete Pella will put on the courts this spring. Rowe won 10 matches spread mainly between the No. 2 through 4 spots in the singles lineup last year and he will once again likely find a spot in the top half of Coach Brandt’s lineup. Where the senior ultimately lands with a new doubles partner will be key after the graduation of Beau Bush. Rowe has also made at least some appearances in the varsity rotation since playing as a freshman and has been a mainstay in 2022 and 2023.
Ben Van Gorp, Senior
Perhaps the most intriguing part of the Pella lineup comes not with the returning top three, but how the rest of the group fills the gaps from the 2023 state runners up. Ben Van Gorp was the primary No. 6 player last spring and will likely have a larger role to play as the preseason No. 4. Van Gorp steadily improved and had several big wins in the postseason run toward the finals against Xavier. If his game is elevated, it will provide a big boost to the team’s postseason prospects and give a consistent top four for opponents to try and solve.