TEMPERANCE, Mich. — The Bedford boys tennis program has been on an incline, both in participation and success.
"We've had the most participation in the summer program than we ever had," said head coach Eric Cukierski. "We had about 20 guys out here in the summer workouts for optional workouts on their own time and previously we were averaging 10."
The program has made back-to-back state trips and fostered record-breaking singles and doubles players, namely Jaxon Nejedlik and partners Carter Ryan and Taylor Burgermeister.
Cukierski added that the addition of assistant coaches Bill Ryan and Brady Pridgeon has been simultaneous with the program's progression as they both have played an integral part in the team's development.
"So I think program's in a good position. We were poised to make a hard run at winning the regional," Cukierski said. "And then the state through us a curve ball right around Fourth of July and said 'nope, everyone's going to a different spot.'"
There used to be eight regionals in the state of Michigan, but as of this year, there are six with 12 teams in each. However, only the top three advance to the state tournament.
"We went from thinking that we were probably odds on favor to be able to win the regional to now we shift our focus and try to accumulate enough points to qualify," Ryan said. "And really keep the kids spirits up because they know it's going to be a tall order."
"At first it was a little shocking that they changed it," Burgermeister added. "But I think it's just a testament to the coaching staff and just how everybody bought in, and we're just all ready and just want to make a run."
Carter Ryan, Burgermeister's partner, said it was a shock, but agreed that the team was all on board with having to rise to the occasion.
"There was definitely like 'oh, OK. so now we've got a new challenge,' but I think all the guys on the team did a good job of buying in like 'okay let's go'," he said. "This is what the circumstances are and we're going to make the best of it."
Despite the challenge presented ahead, the team is battle-tested and plans to use its experience in high-level environments to help punch this year's ticket to state.
"I just love the new challenge. I love competing and I know we've put together the best team we can going in here," Nejedlik said. "I'm playing the best that I can possibly play so I'm excited to see what that gets me and where that puts me."
Cukierski added that if everyone on the team meets their expectations, they will be in a good position.
"If everybody gets what they should at the regional and does their job, I think we'll go," he said. "I think we improved more than we might have otherwise knowing how tough it's going to be, so this team has been as battle-tested as any team I've ever had."
Bedford's regional tournament is on Wednesday in Ypsilanti.