They made progress, which wasn’t always easy. Cathedral High School boys tennis, a young team playing a typically difficult schedule, turned in yet another competitive season with postseason success in 2023. That made it a satisfying season. It also made it one that could lead to strong future. “It was a solid season,” Irish tennis coach Jeff Giles said. The Irish played 12 of 14 matches against Top 25 teams in 2023, finishing with a 12-10 overall record. They won the Section 27 tournament, marking their first sectional title since 2010. They beat Covenant Christian, 5-0, in the Region 7 semifinal before losing to longtime rival and perennial power North Central, 3-2, in the regional final. “We played some really strong competition again, as is the case every year,” Giles said. “We just kind of kind battled through those and toughened ourselves for the postseason.” The Irish not only won the City title again in 2023, they finished second in the Buckley Division at the prestigious 26th John Shirley Men’s Tennis Invitational at North Central. They also finished as the runner-up in the early September Carroll Invitational. “We just didn’t get over that hump,” Giles said. “It was 2-3 in the regular season with [North Central] at their place – and of course they hosted regionals. It had been 12 years since we had won a sectional, so going in our goal honestly was, ‘Hey, let's take that step first and then we'll go to battle at the regional round,’ knowing that we would more than likely face a tough North Central team at the regional. “We made adjustments at No. 2 doubles and competed. We were up 5-3 in the first set, then just couldn't get it done, unfortunately. We lost that first-set tiebreaker and from there lost the second set.” Added Giles, “Coming off of the season, already you start thinking about all the pieces coming back next year and, and kind of getting over that hump.” The Irish in 2023 finished 17th in the Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association ranking, with six of the Irish’s 10 losses by a 3-2 score. “They want that,” Giles said. “They want the tough competition. As a result, the season record doesn't look that great. Six matches came down to a tiebreaker here and there.” The 2023 Irish boys tennis team was: *Charlie Coleman, No. 1 singles, junior. He went 16-6 at the always-difficult No. 1 singles position. “He had a great, great year,” Giles said. “He was playing against the top players and really had a great season. He handled a lot this year and is really primed for his senior season. We’re excited for that.” *Chris Wojtalik, No. 2 singles, sophomore. He went 15-5 with a 13-match winning streak. “He also had a great year,” Giles said. “After kind of an up and down the start of the season, and against tough competition, he really pulled it together. That's an incredible win streak. At No. 2 singles, you see some really consistent, solid players. That was a big accomplishment for him. That will kind of springboard him forward into the next season as well.” *Nick Schneider, No. 3 singles, senior. “He was a real solid player for us,” Giles said. Junior Zach Hanchar and senior Jenson Cobb finished the season at No. 1 doubles, with senior Drew Whelan and junior Oliver Berle finishing the season at No. 2 doubles. “With our schedule, you have to be mentally tough, driven and focused night in and night out, knowing that you're taking on the best of the best throughout central Indiana,” Giles said. “The boys handled it well. We're used to that type of schedule. So coming off of a season where they had the experience of playing a tough schedule, and knowing the challenge that it would be and the toughness of each team – each team more than likely in the Top 20, Top 25 – they were ready every night. “As a result of that, we ended up improving, which was really cool to see.” Giles said the Irish are poised for future success, with three sophomores and three freshmen elevated to the upper junior varsity during the 2023 season. “They really got some good experience,” Giles said. “Those six guys are being developed. They're motivated. It's neat to see that development. I think that will benefit us a lot next year as well.” The Irish boys tennis team in the fall of 2023 had a varsity grade point average of 4.16 with the team overall earning Academic All-State honors. Whalen and Schneider earned individual Academic All-State honors.