Jimtown High School

Jimtown netters eye conference title By Red Williams Freelance Sportswriter ELKHART - Though they may be small in numbers, toughness and week-to-week consistency should help Jimtown High School's tennis squad for the 2026 season, according to Coach Eric Firstenberger. The Jimmies launch their season Tuesday (8.18.26) with a home match against NorthWood. First serve will be at 4:30 pm. “We are doing a lot with a little right now,” Firstenberger said in a text-exchange interview. “We only have eight guys this year, which means every man matters to our success.” Jimtown was 9-10 in matches last year, including 3-1 in the Indiana Northern State Conference (LaVille didn’t field a team last year and will not have one this season.) But the Jimmies lost their No. 1 singles guy, Dalton Cook, as well as No. 1 doubles Brayden Warp and Leighton Gingerich to graduation. And Juan Amalya graduated from the No. 2 doubles team. “Dalton was a great leader for us,” Firstenberger reported and finished the season at 11-10. Four letterwinners return, he said: Seniors Carson Gingerich, Ethan Creech and Colten Allen and junior Hayden Hines. Firstenberger confessed he’s still recruiting in hopes of gaining another player or two. “We’re placing a lot of emphasis on technique development and reactivity to their opponents' shots,” he remarked. “Quite frankly, the most conditioning I have them do is challenge match play. Not normal, but this forced focus on true match play is accelerating the growth of our developing players.” At this point, it looks like Carson Gingerich will be playing No. 1 singles. “He’s taken a leadership role this year, and I’m proud of the growth he’s exhibited,” Firstenberger related. “Behind him, whoever emerges as the dominant player is constantly shuffling,” he continued. “All four have shown great promise." In addition to last year’s lettermen, Firstenberger also has sophomores Alex Pyfer and Jacob Anthony and freshmen Charlie Wright and Connor Fawson competing for playing time. “We still have the ability to make a big impact,” Firstenberger said. “I remind the guys of that, and we should be able to win the conference. We’re a band of brothers, and it will be a great story if we can pull this off.” The schedule: Aug. 18 vs NorthWood 4:30 PM Aug. 19 at Northridge 4:30 PM Aug. 22 at Goshen Invitational 9 AM Aug. 24 vs SB Washington 5 PM Aug. 26 vs Concord 5 PM Aug. 31 vs Knox [C] 5:30 Sept. 1 at Edwardsburg 4 PM Sept. 2 at Mishawaka Marian 4:30 PM Sept. 3 vs SB Adams 5:30 PM Sept. 7 vs SB Riley 5:30 PM Sept. 8 vs Tippecanoe Valley [C] 5 PM Sept. 10 at Bremen [C] 5 PM Sept. 15 vs John Glenn [C] 5 Sept. 17 at Bethany Christian 5 PM Sept 21 vs Buchanan 5 PM