Iron Horse boys’ tennis continues to win in upper class

The Philip Simmons High School boys’ tennis team captured its third consecutive state championship last May with an impressive 6-0 decision over Christ Church.

 

But the team’s affable coach, Richard Schulz, points out that winning four in a row will be a supreme challenge.

 

The Iron Horses earned their first state championship in 2019. COVID-19 halted the 2020 season. But the Iron Horses continued to win, bouncing back to claim state championships in 2021 and again in ‘22.

 

Each year, the team takes on a different personality due to graduation day and transfers. And that’s the case at Philip Simmons, which moves up to Class AAA.

 

“We’re not great,” Schulz said. “We’re really good, but not great. So this year is going to be a challenge. We will do well in the playoffs, but there are some really good teams out there. We will have to overachieve to win it this spring.”

 

Schulz said moving up to Class AAA will not be as big as challenge because the team already played some Class AAAA and AAAAA heavyweights as a Class AA entry.

 

But there is another challenge and that involves the tennis courts at the school. There were construction flaws when the courts were finished, and they are now in the remediation process.

 

That means the 11 members of the team are limited to two courts during practice. It also means the Iron Horses will play all their matches on the road this spring.

 

The top two players are seniors: Zade Hyatt and Keith Lemcke. Both have been with the program since they were seventh-graders.

 

Hyatt was a co-captain of the team last year, a squad that denied Christ Church a record 26th state title. Hyatt is an excellent student who will attend Clemson and major in engineering.

 

His classmate Lemke has talent and works hard in practice, which translates into success in matches.

 

“Both of my seniors are excellent players,” Schulz said. “Both are excellent young men.”

 

The other top five players include two eighth-graders, a pair of freshmen and a sophomore.

 

No. 3 singles player Henry Broad is one of the promising freshmen. No. 4 singles player Matthew Esse is only in the eighth grade.

 

“Matthew is 6-foot-2 and very athletic,” Schulz said. “He doesn’t know how good he can be.”

 

Another eight-grader, Ryan Kriza is the No. 5 singles player while sophomore Parker Owens is No. 6.

 

No. 7 singles player Davey Kester, a freshman, is a talented player who needs experience.

 

Schulz continues to coach because he is passionate about the sport and passionate about helping his players reach their potential on the court and in the classroom.

 

“I love coaching 100 percent,” Schulz said. “I have a great group of young men this year. We are very successfully building a program and developing talent from Daniel Island Middle (School), Philip Simmons Middle (School) and Philip Simmons High School.

 

“We are in first place in our region,” Schulz added. “And we’re happy to be anticipating the state playoffs that begin April. 25.”