-Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge boys tennis returning letterwinners are, left to right, Aidan Decker, Tate Balkenende, Micah Flaherty, Jaxon Price

Led by two-time state medalist Micah Flaherty, the Fort Dodge boys tennis team is looking for improved results this spring.

Flaherty, a junior, has placed seventh and eighth each of the past two seasons in the Class 2A state singles draw. He was on the cusp of finishing higher, as both of his state losses came in super tiebreakers.

“Micah has looked really strong so far,” FDSH head coach Scott Messerly said. “He is bigger and just overall has a stronger body. It looks like a better player from what I have seen.

“I know he’s been working really hard and wants to get to that next level.”

Messerly also recognizes that impact Flaherty has had on the rest of the roster, which includes key returnees Tate Balkenende and Aidan Recker.

“He is just a natural leader,” Messerly said. “The other kids push themselves to be as good as he is. Micah is a tremendous role model who has been coached so well by his dad, Ryan (Flaherty) and uncle Todd Redenius.”

Balkenende, a junior, is slotted in at the No. 3 singles position with Recker, also a junior, at No. 4. Playing the No. 2 position will be newcomer Akramjon Abdurakhimov, a foreign exchange student.

“He played for about eight years before taking a couple off, but is awfully good,” Messerly said. “Tate and Aiden both provide us with great experience and are hard workers.”

Aidan Russell, Jaxton Jones and Jaxon Price all have varsity experience as well for the Dodgers.

Rounding out the roster will be Josh Beekman, Drew Essman, Jenson Litwiller, Authur Lund, Mason Lundberg and Jayden Stanley.

Fort Dodge opens the season Thursday at home vs. Des Moines Lincoln.

Kiley O’Leary will once again be helping Messerly coach.

2024 FORT DODGE BOYS TENNIS

Roster

Senior

Akramjon Abdurakhimov.

Juniors

Tate Balkenende, Micah Flaherty, Mason Lundberg, Aidan Recker.

Sophomores

Josh Beekman, Drew Essman, Jaxton Jones, Jenson Litwiller, Authur Lund, Jaxon Price, Aidan Russell.

Freshman

Jayden Stanley.

Schedule

March 28 — Des Moines Lincoln.

April 2 — at Des Moines Roosevelt; 4 — at Spencer; 9 — Mason City; 11 — at Marshalltown; 16 — at Des Moines Hoover; 22 — Boone, Nevada; 23 — at Ames; 29 — at Des Moines East; 30 — Des Moines North.