ONEIDA, N.Y. – The Oneida Boys varsity tennis team has earned its 21st consecutive league championship following a double header win today over Holland Patent on Thursday, May 8.
The win leaves the Express with a 10-1 record and also leaves them as the top seed for the Class B tournament.
“We knew that these were two big matches for us,” coach Todd Hicks said. “Last year, we lost our last match of the year to Holland Patent. This year, we knew it would be challenging for us to win because we were competing against a team that had a lot of returning players. We knew a split would put us in a good situation, but winning both would top off an overachieving season.”
The Express are led by Ryan Lusher, whom Hicks said is has stood out among a group of talented players.
“Ryan Lusher, our number one singles player, has been automatic for us,” Hicks said. “He has played in ten matches this season and has only lost two games.”
Oneida’s Ryan Lusher, a senior, is 10-0 in singles and Mertens Anden is 8-0. In doubles, Jordan Mahler is 6-3, Sullivan Krol is 6-3 and Evan Gwilt is 6-4.
“The big reason for our success has been good depth and chemistry,” Hicks said. “We’ve had good, steady play from the top to the bottom of the lineup.”
Hicks said Lusher leads a solid squad of players. The team includes Anden, Jordan Mahler, Krol, Gwilt, Mitchell Griffing, Kai Jones, William Kelly and Dylan Roberts.
“This has been one of the most enjoyable teams I have had in my tenure in Oneida,” Hicks said. “They are truly one of the nicest and most respectful groups of players I have ever had,” Hicks said. “Besides Ryan, it’s tough to single out anyone specifically for our success. Everyone has contributed throughout the season. Our most improved player, Jordan Mahler, has been a nice addition to our team and has contributed to winning some big matches for us.”
Hicks started as a junior varsity coach in 1998 and took over varsity in 2002.
Hicks is a 1991 graduate of Vernon-Verona-Sherrill High School. While a student there, he competed at the state level before going to play tennis at LeMoyne College.
“I was in the states as a doubles player and that’s where my love of doubles play and emphasizing it came from,” he said.
Hicks also coaches the girls’ varsity tennis team in the fall. The girls’ team won their sixth consecutive Section III title and have won nine out of the last 11 section titles.
The Oneida High School varsity girls’ tennis team ended its 2024 season with a third-place finish in the recent New York State Division 2 tournament at the Billy Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing. Oneida, 20-1, was the No. 3 seed for Division II and played first at 7:30 a.m. against the Bayport-Blue Point Phantoms from Long Island. The Phantoms swept the Express 5-0.
The 2024 Express earned their way back to the final four by beating Section II Scotia-Glenville 3-2 in an Oct. 26 regional at Schenectady’s Central Park.
In 2021, the girls’ team achieved an undefeated championship record of 18-0 which led them to the New York State semifinals and a loss to Section VIII Friends Academy. Oneida lost 5-0 to Bronxville, the eventual champion from Section I, in the 2023 semifinals. The 2022 Express lost in the regional round to Ichabod Crane of Section II.
“In the near future, this will give us the incentive to play and get better next year. It’s been an outstanding season!” Hicks said after the girls’ 2024 season concluded.
