As much satisfaction as Marist Catholic junior EJ Roedl would take from repeating as the 4A/3A/2A/1A boys singles champion this year, he admits that the season is somewhat bittersweet for him.
That's because Roedl knows that it's his final season at Marist Catholic before he moves to Philadelphia, where his father Eric -- the former deputy athletic director at Oregon – has served as the athletic director and vice president at Villanova since January.
“I'm sad to leave, but I'm also really excited for the opportunities,” EJ Roedl said. “I'm looking to go to school on the East Coast anyway, so hopefully that can help me out.”
Roedl, the state runner-up in 2023 before winning the title last year, has helped lead Marist Catholic to back-to-back team championships. He is hoping to go out with singles and team titles this season.
“That would mean a lot,” he said. “That's definitely the goal. I think it would be really cool for all of us.”
Undefeated this season, Roedl is the clear-cut favorite to win another singles title. He defeated the reigning 5A champion, La Salle Prep sophomore Kaiden Harris, 6-1, 6-0 on April 30. And last weekend he beat Catlin Gabel sophomore Zareh Gonzalvo 7-5, 7-5 in a rematch of last year's state final.
“I feel like I've gotten a lot stronger as a player,” Roedl said. “I've improved in a lot of things, especially my fitness.”
First-year Marist Catholic coach Alex Korth is impressed by Roedl's commitment to the sport. Roedl trains in the mornings and afternoons at Eugene Swim & Tennis Club and also practices with Marist Catholic.
“EJ is definitely a cut above the rest,” Korth said. “Tennis is his life. He loves it. He's playing lights-out tennis. Every challenge he's had this season, he's met. This is the time he's really excited to get into the meat of it. He wants to go out on a high note.”
The win over Gonzalvo in the Bigfoot Invitational at the University of Oregon came in mini-sets (each starting at 2-2), due to rain forcing play indoors and shortening the schedule.
“It was kind of weird,” Roedl said. “It was kind of tough for me to get going, but once I found my groove, I was pretty good. He's a fun challenge, but hopefully I can get him at state.”
Gonzalvo played better than he did in last year's state final, won by Roedl 6-1, 6-2. Roedl was able to pull out the win despite not playing his best, according to Korth.
“Some of his shots were a little off, especially early,” Korth said. “When he really started to pull away with it, the pace was his. He was dictating where the ball was going to be next.”
Roedl's path to a title might have to cross with his freshman brother, Ryan, who is Marist Catholic's No. 2 singles player. EJ defeated Ryan 6-4, 6-1 in the final of the Oregon Episcopal Tournament on April 12, Ryan's only loss of the season.
“I was a little nervous for that one,” EJ said. “He knows me better than anyone, so he was getting under my skin that first set. But it was kind of the same thing with the Catlin Gabel match, once I found my groove, I felt pretty good.”
Ryan's resume this season includes a 6-2, 6-3 win over Catlin Gabel junior Aston Selly, a quarterfinalist last year. He also won 6-3, 6-1 over South Eugene sophomore Yehuda Zaretsky, who made the 6A round of 16 a year ago.
“He's tough to play head-to-head,” EJ said. “Makes a lot of balls. He's really crafty, makes you work. I think he's got a good shot at getting to the state final. I think him and the Catlin kid will have a battle.”
How does Ryan's game compare to EJ?
“Ryan's a lot less aggressive. And Ryan's got a lot better hands than I do,” EJ said. “He doesn't play nearly as big, but he's definitely crafty. He's really smart. He's got good IQ. … He's fun, has a lot of energy. He definitely plays with nothing to lose.”
Ryan and the other top players will have a difficult time taking down EJ at state, however. EJ has a potent combination of skill, expertise and experience under pressure.
“His tennis knowledge is very impressive,” Korth said. “He's very good at analyzing players, finding their weaknesses, finding where there are opportunities to strike.”
EJ, Ryan and junior Alexander Ricketts, a quarterfinalist last year, lead Marist Catholic's bid for a third consecutive title. Korth said he is hopeful that all eight of the team's entries will qualify for state, where the Spartans expect a challenge from Oregon Episcopal and St. Mary's of Medford.
“It's something we've been working for all season,” Korth said. “I think we have a really good shot.”
Roedl will relish his final tournament as a Spartan.
“I've never been a part of a team in tennis,” he said. “It's been a cool sneak peek of what college tennis can look like. Being a part of a team, especially a great winning team at Marist, it's been a lot of fun. I've really enjoyed it.”
jerryu@osaa.org
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