Recipe for success

It was clear from the beginning that this Monticello boys’ tennis team was different. Led by four seniors; Ryan Schyma, Hayden Miller, Rylan Fierabend and Peyton Goyler, this Magic team runs deep with talent. This team was able to mix the lineup up and find success all season no matter where the kids were playing.

They have the recipe for success and followed it to perfection. Monticello went 16-2 and won the Mississippi 8 Conference Championship for the third time in program history and the first time since 2008. They first won a conference title in 2000.

“This accomplishment is such an honor as there are so many teams that have great programs,” said Monticello Head Coach Katy Horgen. “We as a coaching staff are so proud of the hard work and dedication that they have put in to achieve this.”

The conference-clinching victory came against cross-town rival Big Lake on Tuesday, May 7. The Hornets came to town and the Magic swept them away. Not only did they sweep the Hornets, they only lost two games between all seven matches.

Schyma (no. 1 singles) handled Erick Carlson 6-0, 6-0. William Kuhn (no. 2 singles) defeated Ethan Carlson 6-0, 6-0. Goyler (no. 3 singles) beat Zachary Stegora 6-0, 6-0. Levi Berning (no. 4 singles) was the only player to drop a game. He beat Colton Stelzer 6-1, 6-1.

Miller and Wyatt Hanson (no. 1 doubles) swept Ian Anderson and Carsyn Grew 6-0, 6-0. Caleb Kalnbach and Rylan Fierabend (no. 2 doubles) beat Jude Slack and Aaron Tigue 6-0, 6-0. Camden Fierabend and Micah Coalwell (no. 3 singles) took down Donovan Donner and Blake O’Brien 6-0, 6-0.

After clinching a share of the conference crown, Monticello had one last opponent to take care of before the section playoffs started. On Thursday, May 9, Monticello hosted Hutchinson and capped the regular season with another victory over the Tigers.

Monticello won 4-3, splitting the singles matches but taking two of three doubles matches.

Neither singles winner, Schyma or William Kuhn, dropped a game. Schyma (no. 1 singles) beat Grayden MacMullan 6-0, 6-0 and William beat Muhammad Dhanani 6-0, 6-0.

On the doubles side, Miller and Matteus Sundine (no. 1 doubles) beat Jack Hartman and Will Byron 6-3, 6-0. Rylan Fierabend and Kalnbach (no. 2 doubles) clinched the victory with a 6-4, 7-5 win against David Jenum and Eric Oberg.

After going 16-2, Monticello earned the two seed in the 2024 Section 8AA Boys Team Tennis Tournament. They started on Tuesday and played the winner between St. Michael-Albertville and Willmar.

If Monticello wins that match the section tournament continued into Wednesday. The finals are on Friday. The individual section tournament starts next week.