NHS boys tennis team battles 5A schools

Niwot High School’s boys tennis team battled, but came up short against Fairview High School and Boulder High School last week.

The match against Fairview on Sept. 3 saw strong performances from the Cougars’ No. 1 singles player, Sebastian Moy, and No. 2 singles player, Charlie Kirtland, who both secured wins in their lines. However, the team overall lost 2-5.

In their match against Boulder High School on Sept. 5, the Cougars faced tight competition, narrowly losing 3-4. The team had wins from Oskar Hansen at No. 3 singles, and the No. 3 doubles team of Ollie Jones and Tyler Chivukula, who kept Niwot competitive throughout the match.

Moy, the No. 1 singles player, said, “Looking ahead, Kirtland and Hansen are players to watch.”

Both have shown great potential to perform well at the state level, with their recent performances showing their ability to rise to the occasion. Moy, stepping up at No. 1 singles, has demonstrated strong leadership on the court, while Hansen brings style and athleticism to every match. The No. 3 doubles team of Jones and Chivukula is also making waves, with Chivukula’s high-energy, trick-shots adding an entertaining edge to their play.

“Going forward, the players who are going to achieve the most this season are Charlie, Oskar and Sebastian,” said Rex Wallington, one the captains of the team. “They all have lots of experience and they are all so even and all play at the same level.”

The varsity group, mostly consisting of seniors, shares a strong bond, with friendships and camaraderie playing an important role in their outlook for the season. With a tougher schedule ahead, the team is confident they can rise to the challenge, especially with their intense practice sessions and commitment to improve throughout the season.

Moy said, “I think our team this year mostly wants to have fun, but of course we are looking to make a solid run at state and will work hard to make it possible. A majority of the team are seniors so we would like to end on a strong note.”

Wallington said, “As a team we are also very confident of our ability, especially in the region so when it comes to the state championship tournament down in Pueblo, we're all very confident that we will be there.”