Girls tennis preview: Highland's Lily Hantz leads the way for returning All-Gazette players

There will be plenty of talent returning to the Medina County girls tennis courts this fall, as five of the eight All-Gazette picks are back. That includes three-time honoree and 2025 Gazette MVP Lily Hantz of Highland, who owns a career record of 85-22. She qualified for the Division I state tournament in doubles with Claire Schlak. Ava Tople also returns for the Hornets, who will jump from the Suburban League American Conference to the National Conference after 10 straight conference titles. Two other Highland returners earned All-Gazette honorable mention a year ago, Alyssa Boucher and Vanessa Demming. Medina also has two returning All-Gazette players in senior M.J. Pimpo and sophomore Emma Morse. Last season, Pimpo finished second at the No. 2 singles spot in the Greater Cleveland Conference Tournament, while Morse won the GCC title at third singles. This season, Morse will play first singles, with Pimpo at second singles. Junior Julianna Ulm returns for Brunswick after being named All-Gazette, finishing fourth at first singles in the GCC Tournament and reaching the sectional quarterfinals. Here's a closer look at the county's five teams: Brunswick Coach: Kevin Naugle (4th season). Last season: 12-9, 2-3 (4th in Greater Cleveland Conference). Key letterwinner lost: Alexis Markowski (HM All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Julianna Ulm (All-Gazette first singles, jr.), Ella Kaetzel, second singles, sr.), Valerie Markowski, third singles, jr.). Newcomers: Avery Wimberly (first doubles), Paetyn McKinley (first doubles), Ulayna Kashtanava (second doubles), Eva Martin (second doubles,). Noteworthy: Despite players being in unfamiliar positions, Naugle believes he has a talented team and that Ulm will be phenomenal to watch. Cloverleaf Coach: Nicole D'Amico (4th season). Last season: 7-10, 6-4 (3rd in Metro Athletic Conference). Key letterwinners lost: None. Returning letterwinners: Kinley Walters (first singles, jr.), Nina Spry (doubles, sr.), Sage de Luna (second singles, sr.). Newcomers: Vanessa Oakes (third singles, jr.), Ava White (doubles, sr.), Maddie Young (doubles, jr.), Marlena Zufan (doubles, sr.), Addie Sustersic (doubles, fr.). Noteworthy: While the Colts have only three returning letterwinners, they also have a lot of freshmen who D'Amico believes have the potential to be great players. Highland Coach: Ty Damon (1st season). Last season: 13-3, 7-0 (1st in SL American). Key letterwinners lost: Claire Schlak (Three-time All-Gazette), Sarah Kelly (All-Gazette), Elise Mancini (HM All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Lily Hantz (Gazette MVP, 3-time All-Gazette, singles, sr.), Ava Tople (All-Gazette, singles, sr.), Alyssa Boucher (HM All-Gazette, doubles, sr.), Vanessa Demming (HM All-Gazette, doubles, sr.). Newcomers: Sophia Bublitz (singles, jr.), Lacy Piechowiak (doubles, sr.), Taylor Keller (doubles, sr.). Noteworthy: Change is the key word around Highland, as Damon enters his first season and the Hornets move from the SL American to the SL National. What isn't changing, however, is that Highland still has a good amount of talent. Medina Coach: Pete Hoffmann (22nd season). Last season: 8-7, 3-2 (3rd in GCC). Key letterwinner lost: Ashley Wallace (All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Emma Morse (All-Gazette, first singles, so.), M.J. Pimpo (All-Gazette, second singles, sr.), Chase Kremer (third singles, sr.), Ella Bresler (first doubles, sr.), Nellie Alber (first doubles, sr.). Newcomers: Faith Zabka (doubles, sr.), Julie Adams (doubles, sr.), Ruby Gabrielsen (doubles, sr.), Megan Raklovits (doubles, sr.), Emma Koehler (doubles, jr.). Noteworthy: The Bees will compete in the SL for the first time this season, joining the National Conference after a stay in the GCC, something Hoffmann is excited about. The program is thriving with 63 players overall, making up two varsity squads and two junior varsity teams. Wadsworth Coach: John Hutchinson (2nd season). Last season: 7-12, 2-5 (T-5th in SL National). Key letterwinners lost: Tess Demiter (HM All-Gazette). Returning letterwinners: Bailey Blum (1st singles, sr.), Brooke Pinkerton (singles/doubles, jr.), Olivia Evans (singles/doubles, jr.), Macey Milano (2nd doubles, sr.), Holly Turner (2nd doubles, sr.), Julia Hartman (singles/doubles, jr.), Emily Kerstetter (doubles, jr.), Sadie McKenzie (singles, jr.). Newcomers: Elena McCabe (2nd singles, so.), Haley Carr (singles/doubles, fr.), Maelia Whitman (singles, jr.). Noteworthy: The Grizzlies will be without junior Tessa Demiter, who was honorable mention All-Gazette last season after she decided not to play. Blum will take the role of first singles, and Hutchinson has been impressed with how much she worked in the offseason and how well she is hitting the ball. Contact Ryan Isley at sports@medina-gazette.com.