GRAND FORKS — The last name Spicer conjures images of hockey in Grand Forks.
Rylan Spicer is a forward for Grand Forks Central. He racked up eight goals and 15 assists in the 2024-25 season. His brother, Cole, was selected by the Boston Bruins in the 2022 NHL Draft and will play for Western Michigan this season.
However, tennis also runs in Rylan’s blood.
His grandmother, Nancy Gambucci, and her six siblings are members of the North Dakota Tennis Hall of Fame. All seven won North Dakota state championships, and they were the first to be elected to the Hall of Fame as a family.
Riverside Park’s tennis courts are right across the street from Rylan’s house. His father ended up leaning into hockey, but he still had Rylan pick up a racket early on.
“He still had me play tennis at a younger age growing up,” Rylan said. “I’ve been playing (at Riverside’s courts) since I was probably 3 years old.”
Rylan has a chance to add to his family’s storied tennis history this weekend.
Rylan and Jason Ling are the No. 1 doubles seed from the East heading into the North Dakota state tournament, which will be held at Grand Forks Choice Health and Fitness Thursday through Saturday.
The entire team dual tournament will take place on Thursday, with individual singles and doubles play scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
Rylan and Ling both have experience at the state tournament. Rylan qualified for state in doubles last year, while Ling placed fifth in singles.
The pair has grown as the season has progressed, sporting an excellent return of serve and strong on-court chemistry.
“We’ve definitely gotten better at communication,” Rylan said. “Just being aware of what shots the other likes to hit, and how we play. And then we move together as more of one team instead of two separate players.”
Perhaps Rylan’s greatest contribution in the paring has been his speed on the court.
“He’s probably the best mover in the state, as far as getting to balls,” Central head coach Tom Wynne said. “Stroke-wise, there’s a lot of guys that have similarities as he does, but he’s very quick. He uses that to his benefit, where he can just run down balls that other people would not have the chance at.”
Spicer and Ling captured the Eastern Dakota Conference doubles title over the weekend, defeating second-seeded Arnav Panwalkar and Drew Burris from Fargo North by scores of 3-6, 6-3 and 6-4.
The duo will take on the West’s No. 8 seed, Mandan’s Lucas DeRosier and Eli Kleinknecht, on Friday.
“I still don’t think (Rylan and Ling) have played their best tennis,” Wynne said. “I’m hoping that they can even pick it up a little bit more in the state tournament.”
Spicer and Ling weren’t the only Knights to qualify individually for state.
Brady Fee and Kason Panzer earned the No. 5 seed in the East. They’ll compete against No. 4 Kallon Delorme and Kane Shannon of Williston out of the West this Friday.
As a team, Central earned the East’s No. 2 seed. The Knights suffered a 4-1 loss to top-seeded West Fargo Sheyenne in the EDC team championship.
Spicer is hoping to get another shot at Sheyenne, which is currently undefeated, at the tournament.
“We’re obviously hoping to make it to that match against Sheyenne, I’m guessing in the championships,” Rylan said. “We’re trying to play our best tennis that match, but Sheyenne is obviously a great team.”
Central will begin team play Thursday at 10 a.m. against third-seeded Minot.
Red River’s Mallory enters state with momentum
Julian Mallory lived up to his No. 1 seeding at the EDC individual singles tournament last Saturday, battling to a three-set victory over No. 3 Brandt Aslakson of West Fargo.
He’ll have another No. 1 next to his name at the state tournament, kicking off individual play with a contest against No. 8 Declan Hosek of Bismarck Legacy Friday at 10 a.m.
Red River head coach Josh Lunak believes he could live up to that top-seeded billing again.
“He’s a very level-headed player,” Lunak said. “He doesn’t let things rattle him too much, and I think he’s really locked in and focused, and playing really well right now.”
Mallory placed fourth in singles at last year’s state tournament. Lunak says the senior has taken a another step in his development this year.
“He’s put in a lot of time in the offseason,” Lunak said. “Every year, he’s taken a jump since seventh grade, when I first had him as a player. You get better every single year, and this year he’s really hitting on all cylinders.”
Max Mecham will also represent the Roughriders in individual singles play. He earned the No. 7 seed, which means he’ll be taking on No. 2 Reed Romsaas of Bismarck in the opening round.
Red River enters team play with some confidence, winning eight of its last 10 matches. Mallory, Mecham and senior Kevin Martinez, who qualified for state in doubles last year, are a few of the key contributors, though the roster has seen development across the board.
“We’ve got a lot of players that have really improved throughout the season,” Lunak said.
The third-seeded Riders will play No. 2 Bismarck Legacy Thursday at 10 a.m. in the opening round of team play.
North Dakota boys tennis state tournament
When: Thursday-Saturday.
Where: Choice Health and Fitness.
Thursday’s quarterfinals: Mandan (No. 1 West) vs. Fargo North (No. 4 East); Grand Forks Central (No. 2 East) vs. Minot (No. 3 West); West Fargo Sheyenne (No. 1 East) vs. Jamestown (No. 4 West); Bismarck Legacy (No. 2 West) vs. Grand Forks Red River (No. 3 East).
GF Central individual qualifiers: Jason Ling-Rylan Spicer (No. 1 East doubles); Brady Fee-Kason Panzer (No. 5 East doubles).
GF Red River individual qualifiers: Julian Mallory (No. 1 East singles); Max Mecham (No. 7 East singles).