The Norwalk boys’ tennis regular season concluded on Thursday, May 1, after a rained-out match against Ottumwa, and the junior varsity team managed to accomplish a rare feat: they failed to lose a single match.
The boys’ team played Indianola, Ankeny Centennial, Boone, Newton, Pella, Pella Christian, and DCG, defeating them all, including Indianola twice. Both Boone and Pella were ranked in the top 10 in 1A at the time of the meets, even though Norwalk was not.
“We really give it our all out there,” said senior Parker Wood, a member of the JV team.
Parker further claimed that this was the best season he had been a part of during his time at Norwalk.
“[Coach] Fulton does a lot for us,” said Wood on the assistant coach, John Fulton, who is also a teacher at Norwalk. “He’s always in a great mood, always positive, and gives us a lot of inspiration.”
One difference maker for the team this year was the creation of an Instagram account for the JV team, entitled “Norwalk Tennis JV Demons.” The account has 155 followers as of the publication of this post, with their most popular video, an interview with sophomore Tyler Marshall, accruing nearly 3,000 views.
“I think the Instagram page has really improved the morale of the team,” junior Nic Aldrich said. “It kind of gives everyone a place on the team and made everyone feel more included. I think it will be continued next year, no doubt.”
Freshman Alex Altes reflected this sentiment, saying that the upperclassmen were very welcoming of him during his first season of tennis. “Everyone has helped show me how everything works.”
Fellow freshman Ethan Lors said, “I really like the JV team. I think I’ll go out for tennis next year.” Lors, brother of varsity player Isaac Lors and girls’ varsity member Naomi Lors, frequently played doubles with senior Aaron Ramirez, demonstrating how age and experience doesn’t necessarily determine one’s tennis playing abilities.
Tennis in high school is unique from other sports, primarily in the sense that every player on the team is ranked on the challenge ladder, in order to determine their best placement on either varsity or JV. Players have the option to challenge those above them and take their spot, giving them a better chance to play more challenging opponents. However, every player’s match still contributes to the team’s overall score, making every match equally important.
“It was more fun than I expected,” said Aldrich, who participated in his first tennis season this year, and said that he wants to move up the ladder in 2026.
“We’re a relatively young team going into next season, so some of the younger players will have to step it up,” he said. “But I think we’ll have a good shot next year. To quote Kobe Bryant, I can’t relate to lazy teams, we don’t speak the same language.”
