Andrew Schleinitz loves a good acronym, and he’s had a good one all year on the jerseys of his St. Mary’s Medford boys tennis squad.
FTNP, which stands for “face the next point.”
The Crusaders have faced quite a few points in 2026, and they’ve won a majority of them.
Now, they have four spots secured in the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 4A/3A/2A/1A boys tennis state tournament and are looking to make a little history.
The Crusaders have never won a team title, but have four spots in the state brackets which is tied with Oregon Episcopal for the most. OES’ are all doubles however.
No matter how it shakes out though, Schleinitz has been impressed with the team’s mental approach to the game and getting better.
“Winning is obviously always more fun, but the growth comes from the tough matches,” Schleinitz said. “Just to see my boys compete hard, even if it’s a tough match and they didn’t play their best, to shake hands, walk off the court, decompress for a couple minutes and then be able to smile. It’s awesome to see them do it.”
St. Mary’s Medford has had some difficult matches this season, but it’s come for a good reason.
The Crusaders were invited to the annual Bigfoot tournament in Eugene, which Schleinitz took as a great sign of respect for the program that he’s in the third year coaching.
Most importantly, it was a chance for the Crusaders to compete against some of the best tennis players in the state.
“It was a big deal to get invited and that’s kind of a testament to how they’re showing up on the courts,” Schleinitz said. “Win or lose, how they’re conducting themselves, how they’re competing, how they’re treating the opposing team.”
Leading the way has been junior Ben Smith, jumping up from doubles last year to the No. 1 singles spot.
Last year, Smith won the state doubles tournament with his brother Henry. Henry transferred to South Medford after the school year.
This season, Ben Smith won the Special District 3 tournament and is seeded No. 4 in the state singles tournament draw.
“He’ll have some tough competition at state,” Schleinitz said. “There’s the chance he could be doubles champion last year and then singles champion this year. We’re not results focused, but that is on the radar.”
Smith will have some tough competition with Catlin Gabel junior Zareh Gonzalvo, the top overall seed and potential semifinal opponent.
Also in the singles bracket is junior Luke Oliva, who’s had a stellar year playing in the No. 2 singles spot.
“(Oliva) is one of our captains and he’s just stepping up for the team in all different ways,” Schleinitz said. “He does that with a smile, and a, ‘Yes coach.’ … He is right there with Ben, he’s finished second at districts these last two years.”
The Crusaders are also sending two doubles pairs, including the No. 2 seeded duo in sophomores Bennett Peterson and Caswell Dorcak.
Dorcak is a power hitter while Peterson provides the calmness and helps set up the flamethrower shots from his partner.
“Caswell hits harder than anybody I've witnessed in high school tennis to this point,” Schleinitz said. “He’s working on consistency, not everything has to be Mach 10. He’s 16-years-old and that’s fun for them and it’s super fun to watch.
“Bennett is just steady and able to set Caswell up really well, very consistent player and they kind of pick each other up.”
The other duo at state for the Crusaders is juniors Case Johnston and Clark David where they’ll look to make some noise as an unseeded crew.
All those players will be vital toward making St. Mary’s Medford history, but the focus remains on improvement for Schleinitz, who said he was able to bring in a mental performance coach for the team as well.
“It’s not that you win, it’s not that you lose. It’s how you win or lose,” Schleinitz said. “This is something I’m really trying to engrain in the community and culture at St. Mary’s tennis.
“Everybody is supportive, everybody is competing hard, having fun and celebrating together. They’re finding joy in the process.”
La Salle Prep boys take aim at three-peat
Two years ago, La Salle Prep junior Kaiden Harris finished with the individual state title at the OSAA/OnPoint Community Credit Union 5A boys tennis tournament.
However, Harris fell short in the title match last year to Crescent Valley senior Richard Wang to take home silver.
Harris is back in the state tournament as a junior as the No. 2 seed is aiming to reclaim the crown.
“Kaiden is always locked in, he’s 100%, he’s a winner and his attitude is always great,” La Salle Prep head coach Quyen Wong said. “He goes into the season trying to be 5A state champion again.”
Harris has been pushed this year by Canby senior Dmitrii Ganovichev, who beat Harris during the regular season 7-5, 4-6, 6-2 and then again at the NWOC district championships 2-6, 6-4, 6-4.
They’re the top two seeds and could be on a collision course for round three in the state final, and Harris hopes to make it there first by continuing to add pieces to his game.
“In a couple matches when we went down to the Eugene tournament, (Harris) did some killer drop shots,” Wong said. “He changed it up a little bit. Hopefully he’ll use some of that in district matches and state matches.”
The Falcons are also the two-time defending team state champions, sneaking out the win last year by half a point over Summit.
Providing the needed depth is the No. 3 seeded doubles team in Nolan Wong, a junior, and Lucas Wong, a sophomore.
Nolan is the son of head coach Quyen and Lucas is cousin/nephew to provide the Falcons family affair.
And naturally, the two cousins, only separated in age by a few months, love playing with each other. They both have state experience as well with Nolan Wong making it in singles last year and winning a match while Lucas Wong made it in doubles and won a match as well.
“They have a blast playing together, at times I have to calm them down,” Quyen Wong said. “Lucas is the little fire ball and he brings up the energy for both of them. Then Nolan gets hyped up and it’s a good time. … We all love watching them play and they always bring out a crowd.”
The last Falcon to make state is a senior who knows a thing or two about winning multiple state titles in a row, and that’s River Nichols.
The All-State first-team midfielder has helped La Salle win the last two state titles in boys soccer and is looking to make some potential noise at state tennis. He played doubles last year at state and won a match.
“He’s a killer,” Quyen Wong said of Nichols. “He’s dominating at second singles. His versatility is driving people nuts. He has a drop shot and has very unorthodox play about him. He’ll bring you in with the short serve and then just lob them. … He’s the most versatile player for sure and he’ll get to every ball, he’s so fast.”
Crescent Valley and Ashland each lead the way with four state qualified spots, giving them the slight advantage over La Salle with its three spots.
Still, the top Falcons are talented and expect the winning results to come around thanks to the hard work they’ve put in for a 12-5 dual record, four of which came to 6A opponents.
“I don’t want to fall short of a state title,” Quyen Wong said. “It’s a fantastic group of boys. Our priority is always winning, but at the end of the day I want them to smile on the court, I want them to enjoy the game.”
Girls
6A
Tualatin Hills Tennis Center, Thursday-Saturday
Top singles seeds: 1. Sofia Sorokina, Nelson, jr.; 2. Nikhitha Suresh, Westview, sr.; 3. Sonya Drayton, West Linn, sr.; 4. Carlyta Barfield, Benson, jr.
Top doubles seeds: 1. Sabrina Larsen, sr./Lucy Hasle, sr., Jesuit; 2. Ella McPherson, sr./Maya Cormack, soph., Sunset; 3. Malavika Rahul, sr./Vivienne Lu, soph., Westview; 4. Madeleine Hendricks, sr./Caroline Rickards, jr., McMinnville
2025 team scores: Westview 19, West Linn 16, Jesuit 14, Sunset 11, Nelson 8, Sheldon 8, South Eugene 8
Notes: Sorokina made the state final last year thanks to a semifinals win over Drayton in straight sets. Suresh was the top seed last year before falling in the semis to eventual state champion Leah Lup out of West Linn, who decided not to play high school tennis this season. Jesuit’s Larsen and Hasle duo returns after taking second place at state last year. They fell to a duo that included Westview’s Rahul. Meanwhile Sunset’s McPherson and Cormack took out Rahul and Lu in the semifinals of the Metro League tournament, and played tough with Larsen/Hasle, the Jesuit duo eventually winning 3-6, 6-4, 6-3. Westview is the defending team state champion.
5A
West Hills Racquet and Fitness Club (Friday), Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (Saturday)
Top singles seeds: 1. Emily Gu, Crescent Valley, sr.; 2. Claudia Stadtmueller, Ashland, jr.; 3. Kaylen Mitchell, Hood River Valley, fr.; 4. Kuinlan Hayes, Bend, soph.
Top doubles seeds: 1. Keira Lin, jr./Juliet Newbery, fr., Crescent Valley; 2. Kaitlin Carter, sr./Isabella Montecucco, sr., La Salle Prep; 3. Tori Jones, jr./Kelsi Jones, jr., Redmond; 4. Maggie Davisson, sr./Ashlyn Davisson, jr., Silverton
2025 team scores: La Salle Prep 12, Summit 12, Churchill 8.5, Ashland 7, Crescent Valley 6.5, Silverton 6
Notes: Gu didn’t compete at state last year, but made the championship match in 2023 and 2024 as a freshman and sophomore, falling to former La Salle Prep star Kennedy Harris each time. With Harris gone, Gu is aiming for her first state title. The reigning champ is Kate Bonetto out of Summit, who isn’t playing high school tennis this year. Stadtmueller won a singles match at state last year before falling in the quarterfinals. Crescent Valley’s Lin made the singles semifinals last year and has joined Newbery for a run at the doubles title. La Salle Prep’s Carter was on a Falcons duo last year that finished runnerup. The two Jones from Redmond lost to Carter and La Salle last year in the quarterfinals, and the Davissons from Silverton did as well in the semifinals. La Salle Prep and Summit tied for the state title last year.
4A/3A/2A/1A
OSU Tennis Complex, Thursday-Saturday
Top singles seeds: 1. Whitney Hedden, Marist Catholic, jr.; 2. Ria Shah, Catlin Gabel, fr.; 3. Phoebie Larson, Marist Catholic, sr.; 4. Carys Chamberland, St. Mary’s Medford, jr.
Top doubles seeds: 1. Amanda Perez, sr./Jiya Mehta, sr., Catlin Gabel; 2. Stela Larson, sr./Talia Tyner, jr., Marist Catholic; 3. Rachel Suelzle, sr./Kate Withers, sr., Cascade; 4. Ella Nieskins, sr./Ellie Seals, jr., Vale
2025 team scores: St. Mary’s Medford 18.5, Marist Catholic 17.5, Oregon Episcopal 14, Catlin Gabel 12, North Bend 10, Crook County 8.5, Cascade 8
Notes: North Bend’s Raegan Farm won the last two titles and decided to not play high school tennis for senior season, opening the door for a new champion. Hedden finished runnerup last year and is looking to get over the hump in 2026. Shah has only lost once this season while Larson is making the jump from a doubles duo that took third at state last year. Chamberland lost 6-0, 6-0 to Hedden in the semifinals last year. Catlin Gabel’s Perez and Mehta are the defending champions looking for a second crown. Stela Larson went to the semifinals last year with Phoebie Larson and is looking to make the final with Tyner, who competed in doubles at state last year as well. Suelzle and Withers from Cascade made the quarterfinals together a season ago while Seals from Vale was on the top-seeded duo a season that was upset in round two.
Boys
6A
Tualatin Hills Tennis Center, Thursday-Saturday
Top singles seeds: 1. Cayden Laughton, Lincoln, soph.; 2. Tristan Hernandez, Jesuit, sr.; 3. Arnav Arora, Mountainside, sr.; 4. Camden Board, Tigard, soph.
Top doubles seeds: 1. James Cui, sr./David Cui, fr., Lake Oswego; 2. Roland Alexander, sr./Nathan Ramachandran, soph., Lincoln; 3. Yehuda Zaretsky, jr./Jeremy Wang, sr., South Eugene; 4. Saketh Pitchuka, fr./Nirmay Patel, soph., Westview
2025 team scores: Lincoln 18, West Linn 17, Jesuit 12, Lake Oswego 12, Mountainside 8.5, South Eugene 8, Sunset 8
Notes: Laughton is the reigning champion and is looking to make it five consecutive years a Lincoln player has won the state title (Will Semler won 2022-2024). The sophomore beat Board in the quarterfinals, Hernandez in the semifinals and Arora in the final last season. Lake Oswego’s James Cui and Lincoln’s Alexander made the doubles quarterfinals last season with a different partner before falling. Ramachandran made it to state in 2025 as a singles player and won a match. South Eugene’s Zaretsky and Wang return together to state after falling in the second round a year ago to Alexander and Lincoln. Westview’s Patel is back at state after making it as a singles player last season where he won his first match. Lincoln is the defending team state champion.
5A
West Hills Racquet and Fitness Club (Friday), Tualatin Hills Tennis Center (Saturday)
Top singles seeds: 1. Dmitrii Ganovichev, Canby, sr.; 2. Kaiden Harris, La Salle Prep, jr.; 3. Andrew Liu, Crescent Valley, fr.; 4. Mika Nader, Bend, jr.
Top doubles seeds: 1. Grae Koller, jr./Michael Greschner, soph., Corvallis; 2. Wyatt Windsheimer, sr./Layne Wettstein, sr., Wilsonville; 3. Lucas Wong, soph./Nolan Wong, jr., La Salle Prep; 4. Harrison Young, jr./Nicky Virgilio, jr., Summit
2025 team scores: La Salle Prep 15, Summit 14.5, Crescent Valley 14, Caldera 11
Notes: Ganovichev is new to Canby and is looking to become the school’s first-ever individual state champion in tennis, boys or girls. He’s taken out Harris twice this season already who was a state champion as a freshman in 2024 and lost in the title match last year to Crescent Valley’s Richard Wang who was a senior. Stepping up now for the Raiders is the freshman in Liu who went 16-2 this season and won the Mid-Willamette district tournament. Nader lost in the first round at state last year, but battled back to the consolation final where he lost in three sets. Corvallis’ Koller made state as a singles player as a freshman in 2024 and won a match and also last year as a sophomore. He returns with Greschner as his partner as the top seed in doubles. Wilsonville’s Windsheimer and Wettstein both made state last year on different doubles teams and this year they have partnered up to become the No. 2 seed. La Salle’s Nolan Wong won a match at state last year as a singles player and Lucas Wong went to the doubles semifinals as an unseeded squad. The cousins have joined forces this year. Summit’s Young and Virgilio are making their state debuts where La Salle Prep is the defending team state champion.
4A/3A/2A/1A
OSU Tennis Complex, Thursday-Saturday
Top singles seeds: 1. Zareh Gonzalvo, Catlin Gabel, junior; 2. Griffen Scoble, Marist Catholic, junior; 3. Kai Stone, Catlin Gabel, freshman; 4. Ben Smith, St. Mary’s Medford, junior
Top doubles seeds: 1. Theo Freres, sr./Lachlan Oei-Johnson, soph., Oregon Episcopal; 2. Bennett Peterson, soph./Caswell Dorcak, soph., St. Mary’s Medford; 3. Mason Do, sr./Ishaan Bhardwaj, sr., Oregon Episcopal; 4. Benjamin Hedges, jr./James Murphy, sr., Cascade
2025 team scores: Marist Catholic 37, St. Mary’s Medford 26, Catlin Gabel 15, Oregon Episcopal 15
Notes: Gonzalvo made the state semifinals as the No. 2 seed last year before falling to Marist Catholic’s Ryan Roedl. The Spartans this year are led by Scoble who has been to state twice before, once in doubles and once in singles last year, where he won one match each. Stone has bounced between No. 2 singles and playing doubles this year for Catlin Gabel and has a 16-3 record between the two. Smith won the doubles state title last year with his brother Henry and is jumping up to singles where he is the No. 4 seed. OES’ Freres was on the No. 1 doubles squad last year with a different partner where they made it to the semifinals before falling. The other OES doubles duo is Do and Bhardwaj played together last season and made the semifinals before falling to the eventual champion Smith brothers. Marist Catholic is the defending team state champion.
austinw@osaa.org
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