Cranbrook tennis falls short of third-straight title, continues successful culture

BLOOMFIELD HILLS — Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Kingswood tennis is recognized as one of the most historically successful programs in the state of Michigan.

With eight state championships since 2008, four-straight titles from 2015-2018, and back-to-back state titles heading into the 2022 season, Cranbrook Kingswood was a threat again this year.

Carrying a mix of youth and senior leadership, Cranbrook Kingswood finished in second place at the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 3 State Championship Oct. 15 in Mason.

Cranbrook Kingswood (33) finished two points behind first-place Ann Arbor Greenhills (35), which Cranbrook Kingswood coach Steve Herdoiza said was going to be its main competitor.

“I felt like we had that shot at the beginning,” Herdoiza said. “We played Greenhills in a tournament earlier in the season and tied them, so we knew we were right there.”

Senior Owen DeMuth handled business in the singles flight No. 1 as he failed to lose a set throughout the entirety of the tournament.

DeMuth, who is committed to playing tennis at Georgia Tech, was an anchor for Cranbrook Kingswood’s past two state finals championships, but he was able to secure an individual championship for the first time this year.

“I’ve been to the final the past two years, especially my junior year, which hurt, because I made it to the final round but got hurt,” DeMuth said. “So, it was really nice; it felt like my hard work paid off.”

Senior leaders alongside DeMuth are twins Evan and Eli Foltyn, and Eric Wang, and they took on a leadership role in the state tournament and throughout the season with their doubles partners.

Evan Foltyn paired with sophomore Aryan Tiwari for a runner-up finish in the doubles flight No. 2, while Eli teamed up with junior Ketan Swami in the doubles flight No. 3 for a runner-up finish as well. Wang completed the runner-up trifecta for the senior leaders in doubles as he and junior Kevin Guo competed in the doubles flight No. 4.

Herdoiza said that between captain’s practices (team only) and weekend conditioning, his veteran players laid the foundation for the underclassmen.

“It couldn’t have been better. They really set a great example before the season started,” Herdoiza said.

Great leadership and coaching translated to success for the young Cranbrook Kingswood squad as junior Amaan Khan secured first place in the singles flight No. 1.

Khan won every set at states and will look to be a cornerstone piece for Cranbrook Kingswood next season.

“He had a strong season. I think he lost only three matches all season,” Herdoiza said.

Sophomore Ryan Michaels made it to the semifinals in the singles flight No. 3 bracket, while junior Caden Che also reached the semifinals. Che was an individual state champion in the singles flight No. 4 last season.

Cranbrook Kingswood dominated in the doubles flight No. 1 as junior Andrew Fink and freshman Jace Bernard took first place. Fink paired with Michaels in the 2021 state finals to secure first place in the doubles flight No. 3.

With four seniors set to graduate, and Fink, Che, Swami, Guo and Khan set to be seniors, Cranbrook Kingswood could be a strong threat once more next season.

“I think they’re going to basically take what the seniors did this year and move it forward,” Herdoiza said.