Forest Hills Eastern’s athletes and coaches pride themselves on high-achieving athletic programs, and the 2024 FHE tennis team is no different. With many skilled players and a qualified coach, the Hawks have high aspirations heading into regionals this week. The team has already achieved significant milestones this season, including many doubles teams outclassing Petoskey to earn one seed at the regional competition. After the retirement of longtime varsity coach Bill Perlmutter, Coach Nolan Hubbard stepped in. The transition was challenging, but Coach Hubbard’s energy and dedication to the team have been evident all year. Looking ahead, Coach Hubbard has ambitious plans to continue this success into the future and build a dominant program at FHE.
Tennis, a unique sport that fosters individual and team play, has brought together the 2024 FHE tennis team in a strong bond of unity. This year, the singles are Emerson Chiodini (‘26), Henry Elms (‘26), Joey Cavanaugh (‘28), and Nav Murali (‘28), and the doubles are seniors Jace Konwinski and Will Overbeek, Nikhil Talla (‘25) and Emmit Mast (‘26), Bennett Heymoss (‘26) and Brendan Kozal (‘27), Henry Overbeek (‘27) and Ryan Worden (‘26). Despite being a young group, their unwavering determination and high goals for the remainder of the season are truly inspiring. After graduating some key seniors, Chiodini and H. Overbeek have stepped into the number one and two singles roles. This is a milestone that many in the game work for throughout high school, so these two should be proud of their accomplishments on the court. Additionally, W. Overbeek and Konwinski display dominance as the team’s number-one doubles. These two have built elite chemistry over the years and continue demonstrating that on the court through sustained success. They hope this continuity will elevate them at the regional competition. Both Konwinski and W. Overbeek eclipsed the 100-win mark this year, a testament to their continued success on the court throughout high school.
The regional competition, a significant event in the tennis calendar, is a chance to showcase the best talent from the area. It’s a highly competitive event that draws top players from the region. FHE doubles teams, particularly #1 and #2, outclassed Petoskey to earn the one seed at the regional competition. Doubles #3 narrowly lost to Petoskey, earning them the two seed at regionals. The singles players did not get seeded going into regionals but will still compete in the competition. This showcase will occur at Big Rapids High School on Friday, October 11th. Big Rapids, Cadillac, Cedar Springs, Coopersville, Fruitport, Kenowa Hills, Ludington, Petoskey, Sparta, and Spring Lake will all participate in this event.
The FHE tennis team is dialed in on the regional championship prize as the regional competition approaches. Whether it’s singles players expanding their limits or doubles players working in perfect harmony, the Hawks are determined to leave their mark on the regional competition. Whether the Hawks are victorious or fall short, this program is filled with young and talented athletes who will continue to develop yearly. Still, the team hopes to bring a trophy home to honor the squad’s three seniors: Nikhil Talla, Will Overbeek, and Jace Konwinski.
