This story was updated at 9:28 a.m. March 18 with results from Philomath's match at Lebanon.
Following a full season of experience at No. 1 and No. 2 singles, Lane Schell and Nate Houck return to Philomath High’s boys tennis program with hopes of taking their competitiveness to another level.
Now seniors, Schell and Houck head into this spring as the team’s co-captains.
“I feel very fortunate to have Nate and Lane — they are just amazing leaders and excellent examples,” first-year coach Byron Holroyd said before a practice last week.
Both had their moments in 2025. Schell, who was in his first season as a singles player, survived a tournament-opening loss at districts but persevered the situation and won his next two matches to stay alive in the consolation bracket. Houck, playing competitive tennis for the first time, won a three-set thriller over a Cascade opponent at districts.
Longtime coach Gary Quandt retired after one final season with the Warriors and Athletic Director Mike Hood advertised the position. He wasn’t finding much interest before Holroyd entered the picture.
There were students who wanted to compete, Holroyd discovered, so he decided to take on the role.
“I wanted to make sure they were able to play and didn’t want the program to fold, although Mike had done a great job coming up with some contingencies,” Holroyd said. “It worked out and I’m having a great time.”
Holroyd, a Philomath Elementary teacher, has been connected to the high school tennis program through his sons, Jackson and Samuel, and former students, such as Schell.
“I played not at a high school or college level or anything but recreationally for years and then both of my children have played,” Holroyd said. “I’ve kind of really gotten into it at the next level.”
Holroyd has 11 players on the roster — more than half are freshmen.
“We started with five so we’re really happy to have a full team now and we’re good at 11,” Holroyd said, adding that with the underclassmen numbers, he’s “excited about the future of the program.”
Besides Houck and Schell, the roster includes junior Kayden Reynolds, sophomores Samuel Holroyd and Mike Laukkanen Raskauskas, and freshmen Elijah Arthurs, Cameron Barlow, Liam Cole, Lev Grose, Andrew Sims and Jovi Tavano.
Holroyd and the players have been working in the PHS auxiliary gym on bad weather days and outside on the courts in dry conditions. Preseason workouts have included making determinations on who will play singles along with effective doubles combinations.
“I think two of the freshmen will probably be right in the mix,” Holroyd said when asked about singles. “One of them really had a serve going consistently and was pushing Lane, so that’s good. It’s good for them to have that level and to push them coming in.”
Philomath opened the season Tuesday at Lebanon with Schell, Houck, Barlow and Sims playing singles. Houck (6-4, 6-7, 7-5), Barlow (6-4, 6-2) and Sims (6-2, 2-6, 7-5) posted victories. The Warriors had Laukkanen Raskauskas and Grose at No. 1 doubles and Arthurs and Sims at No. 2 doubles.
Holroyd sees a fair amount of athleticism on his team.
“We have three that are dual sport athletes — two that are doing golf, one that’s doing track,” Holroyd said. “And we’re really well-rounded — Nate’s doing robotics and we have one doing the play.”
The PHS boys will make their home debut at 4 p.m. Thursday against Dallas. The Special District 2 meet is scheduled for May 11 at Estacada and May 14-15 at Salem Swim and Tennis Club. The state championships will run May 21-23 at Oregon State University.
Philomath will be hoping to have representation at state this year. The last Warrior boy to qualify was senior Andrew Leonard in 2024.
“It’s been fun starting to get to know them and seeing their interactions,” Holroyd said about moving into the coaching position. “I feel very fortunate — it’s a really nice group of kids and they take direction well and are working hard. I think the ceiling is high.”
Lebanon 5, Philomath 3
Tuesday, March 17, at Lebanon HS
Singles
Micah Zderad, Lebanon, def. Lane Schell, 6-1, 6-0; Nate Houck, Philomath, def. Landyn Whitney, 6-4, 6-7, 7-5; Cameron Barlow, Philomath, def. Silas Fitchett, 6-4, 6-2; Andrew Sims, Philomath, def. Daniel Doerzapf, 6-2, 2-6, 7-5.
Doubles
Hunter Jacobsen/Ryan Robinson, Lebanon, def. Mika Laukkanen Raskauskas/Lev Grose, 6-2, 6-2; Benjamin Klinger/Joshua Allydice, Lebanon, def. Elijah Arthurs/Jovi Tavano, 6-0, 6-0.
Note: Lebanon was awarded forfeit wins at No. 3 and No. 4 doubles.