-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge boys Tennis Returning Letterwinners are, left to right, Front Row: Aidan Russel, Jax Jones, Drew Essman, Jaxon Price Back Row: Mason Lundberg, Micah Flaherty, Tate Balkenende, Aide Recker, Arthur Lund

Led by returning indivdual state medalist Micah Flaherty, the Fort Dodge boys tennis team brings a deep and experienced roster to the courts this spring.

Flaherty, a senior, capped off his junior campaign by finishing fourth last year in Class 2A at state with a 14-2 record as both losses came at the state tournament.

“It was pretty special just how good Micah was in terms of growth from his sophomore season to his junior year,” FDSH head coach Scott Messerly said. “Now, after another year and more time in the weight room and on the practice courts, I think Micah is in for an incredible senior season.

“The way the ball sounds when he hits it is just different. And he’s a kid that goes and finds the best players to play so he can be ready.”

Flaherty placed eighth in the doubles draw as a freshman at state and was seventh in individual as a sophomore.

Joining Flaherty among those who saw action in the varsity lineup will be classmate Tate Balkenende along with juniors Aidan Recker, Jaxton Jones, Jaxon Price, Drew Essman and Arthur Lund.

Balkenende will be asked to replace Akramjon Abdurakhimov in the No. 2 spot while Recker played three and four for the Dodgers last year. Jones, Price, Essman and Lund rounded out the Top-6.

“Tate has been playing with Micah all year and is a four-year varsity guy we can count on at No. 2,” Messerly said. “Aidan is another kid that has plenty of experience and really has grown a lot on the court.

“I think experience is what really separates us from last year. Getting that season of high school tennis under your belt is the difference — especially in close matches.”

Others battling with those that have varsity time on the resume will be senior Mason Lundberg and freshman Corban McHone.

“We’d like to have a few more out, but the ones we have are really dedicated to the sport and the team,” Messerly said. “There has been talk of creating a league at the junior high level for tennis teams from the conference and I think that could really help grow the sport around Fort Dodge.

“We have a lot of people that have grown up around tennis that want to see it grow.”

Rounding out the roster are seniors Mace Hill and Trice Jakeman; sophomores Joshua Beekman and Jayden Stanley; and freshmen Mason Eastwood, Sawyer Evans and Carson Huffman.

Fort Dodge opens the season playing its first five duals at home before hitting the road for four of the final six.

Messerly will have volunteer assistants in Ryan Flaherty and Todd Redenius.

2025 FORT DODGE BOYS TENNIS

Roster

Seniors — Tate Balkenende, Micah Flaherty, Mace Hill, Trice Jakeman, Arthur Lund, Mason Lundberg.

Juniors — Drew Essman, Jaxton Jones, Jaxon Price, Aidan Recker, Aidan Russell.

Sophomores — Joshua Beekman, Jayden Stanley.

Freshmen — Mason Eastwood, Sawyer Evans, Carson Huffman, Corban McHone.

Schedule

April 1 — Marshalltown; 3 — DM North; 7 — Spencer/Sergeant Bluff-Luton; 8 — Mason City; 10 — at DM Roosevelt; 15 — DM East; 17 — at Ames; 22 — DM Hoover; 28 — at Boone/Nevada.

May 6 — at DM Lincoln.