FORT BRANCH – The Head Coach Kyle DeBord-led Gibson Southern High School Boys Tennis program, after breaking through and capturing the 2023 IHSAA Sectional 9 Championship at Princeton Community, continued its success in 2024 en route to posting an 18-5 season record, capturing the program’s second-consecutive Sectional Championship and advancing to the IHSAA Regional Championship Match. Following that success, the Titans have set their sights on more in a 2025 season that is slated to begin with a doubleheader of road matches (at Sullivan and South Knox) on August 16.
This year’s hardcourt Titans, 26 in number, will feature a blend of returning talent from last year’s Sectional titlists as well as other student-athletes looking to step up into new roles at the Varsity level, as they return four starters from the 2024 Varsity lineup.
Winning two-straight Sectional titles “has helped us create a winning tradition. There’s excitement at all levels of the program,” DeBord said. “It took us a little bit to get ‘over the hump’, and that second one was affirmation that ‘Yes, we belong here!’, and this is how we do it at Titan tennis. Those guys that were only here for the first one set the tone, and are a huge part of why we are where we are as a program.”
Coach DeBord noted that several members of the team put in a great deal of work to improve their game between seasons, including hitting over the Winter at local indoor facilities, playing in multiple tournaments and continuing to hone their skills throughout the spring and summer.
“Those kinds of things add up,” DeBord shared. “We had great numbers in our summer camps, and we gave them options to be able to compete throughout the year. We’re just really excited for the year ahead.”
“From day one, our guys have been highly competitive in everything we’ve done. We started competing for spots and competing in challenge matches right away with the start of official practice on Monday (August 4),” said Coach DeBord. “We’re continuing to try and figure out who’s going to be in that Varsity lineup. We have six-or-seven guys that are competing for the three singles spots, and we have four guys that are pretty level, pretty equal in doubles. We’re still identifying who plays best together at those doubles spots. People will see a lot of action at the net. Carter and Collin are 6’ 1” and 6’ 3”, so they’ll give us some size. Each of them can hit the ball with some firepower.”
Debord also noted that the team has focused on utilizing its skill set and being able to execute them in appropriate situations in its practices ahead of the season.
“We want our guys to be a little bit more aggressive in their shot selection,” he stated. “We’ve also worked on transition scenarios, executing a plan and finishing points when we get to the net.”
A look at this year’s Titans:
Seniors: Carson Agee, Devin Bane, Noah Bodenstein, Lance Evetts, Landon Schmitt, Mark Stunkel
Schmitt, along with McClellan, each return at No. 1 doubles after an outstanding season a year ago that saw both players progress exponentially.
“Landon played one doubles last year,” said his coach. “He’s going to play with Brogan again this year.”
“Carson has really worked hard,” added DeBord, “as has Noah. Noah has taken lessons and improved greatly. Devin and Mark are always finding a way to contribute to the team. They bring great energy and work really hard in everything they do. Lance is new to tennis, and just wants to be part of the team and contribute wherever he can. He has a great attitude.”
Juniors: Jaxon Curl, Carter DeBord, Brogan McClellan, Cooper Wahl
Curl, a ‘Day One’ starter for the Titans, served as a valuable contributor at No. 3 singles in both his freshman-and-sophomore seasons and now looks to step into the No. 1 singles role following the graduation of Class of 2025 seniors Noah Kiesel and Lucas Church at Nos. 1-2 singles.
“Losing those two seniors, it’s like ‘What are we going to do?,” shared DeBord. “The guys behind those two have completely embraced the work.”
“Jaxon’s making a huge jump from three singles to one singles, but he’s worked on his game and played in quite a few tournaments,” DeBord added. “He’s working really hard in an effort to make that next jump. As a junior, he’s experienced all the highs-and-lows of playing Varsity tennis, but he’s going to have to step up and be a leader for us in singles.”
“Stepping into the ‘one-singles’ spot, you have to have a certain mentality,” DeBord shared. “It’s not an easy job to go out and play every team’s best player. He’s continuing to prepare himself physically and mentally to step into that role.”
Carter DeBord emerged at two doubles in the latter part of the season, and figures to pair with Grabbe in doubles play. Coach DeBord noted that competition is ongoing to see which duo plays at each doubles spot.
“Brogan and Carter each have Varsity experience in doubles,” noted DeBord. “It’s just fun to watch our doubles players compete against one another on a daily basis.”
“Brogan has an even-keeled, calm demeanor, and Carter (the son of Coach DeBord) is going to think about every-single aspect of the game (with a high tennis IQ).”
Sophomores: Conner Bailey, Collin Grabbe, Bo Higgs, Carson Jones, Mitchell Ritter, Kelton Sokeland, Rhys Sorgius
Sorgius, who saw limited Varsity time as a freshman and won each of those matches, has emerged as a candidate to earn the No. 2 singles spot.
“He’s going to continue being challenged, but Rhys will have a big job in playing at two singles this year,” said his coach.
“Rhys and Collin have gotten better, and it’s been awesome to see,” said DeBord. “They each have bright futures and there are some other sophomores that are ready, and guys like Carson, Mitchell and Conner have the potential to make a lot of noise. It’s just a lot of fun seeing these younger guys continue to grow. They’ve shown flashes and they continue to get better, which is huge for us.”
Freshmen: Tate Bane, Noble Doerner, Cruz Heldt, Patrick Hughes, Bennett Neidig, Leyton Schmitt, Hayden Walker, Aidan Williams, Jack Williams
In a similar path to Curl, who started right away as a freshman, Coach DeBord noted that Aidan Williams has emerged as a strong candidate for the No. 3 singles spot.
“Aidan is a ‘stone-cold killer’ that has been at No. 1 singles in junior high for two-or-three years. He’s so even-keeled, which will serve him well in singles.” DeBord stated, “but he can’t get comfortable, because there are two-or-three guys that are ‘champing at the bit’, including (junior) Cooper Wahl and (sophomore) Carson Jones.”
DeBord described the majority of the Titans’ freshmen class as one that ‘is very green and are just starting out in tennis’.
“They’re having a great time, and they’re continuing to grow and absorb things,” noted DeBord. “They have a great approach, and they’re a fun group to coach.”
The Titans’ schedule, while primarily consisting of conference matches, is front-loaded with non-conference matches and will also feature a challenging weekend in the Silver Creek Invitational.
“Our first four matches are non-conference, and a few of those are ranked in the (IHSTECA) district,” DeBord noted. “We will play some tough competition as we get started. It will be a ‘measuring stick’ of where we are, and I want our guys to be prepared for any possible scenario and situation we may face in the Sectional. We’ll have opportunities to see where we are throughout the year, and we’ll be able to grow from each of those opportunities.”
“With as deep as this team is, talent-wise, one of our keys to having the most successful season we can is knowing that one person doesn’t have to do too much,” DeBord shared. “Each of our guys have a ‘Do-Your-Job’ and ‘Three-Blue’ mentality. These guys are going to fight for every ball and compete at a high level in every practice and match.”
“People that come out to watch Titan Tennis are going to have a good time,” concluded DeBord. “They’re going to put on a show.”