PERRYSBURG – Perrysburg’s boys tennis team has a different look this season.
But that doesn’t mean expectations have changed for the Yellow Jackets.
Mark Weider steps in as Perrysburg’s new coach, taking over for long-time head coach Al Rava who retired
after the ‘Jackets won their third straight Northern Lakes League title last season.
"We’d like to carry on the tradition and actually get better," said Weider, whose wife Julie is
Perrysburg’s girls tennis coach. "They’ve come in and we have a whole new program with new
expectations, what is expected of them to do. But at the same time, they’re very excited about learning
things and doing some new things."
The cupboard isn’t bare for Weider and Perrysburg, which had a total of 22 students go out for the team.
The ‘Jackets return six letter winners from last season, including four seniors and a state qualifier.

Sophomore Jeffrey Schorsch, who advanced to the state tournament as a freshman last season, returns for
Perrysburg.
Schorsch burst onto the scene last season, winning the NLL first singles title and taking second at
districts. He lost in his first match at state after suffering an ankle injury before the tournament.

"(Schorsch) gained a lot of experience during his time last year, participating for the first time
at state. He learned a lot," Weider said.
David Hoops, who has won NLL titles each of the past three seasons, also returns.
Hoops was part of Perrysburg’s NLL first doubles championship last year with fellow incoming senior Will
Brundrett. Hoops was a first singles champ as a sophomore and second singles champ as a freshman.
Along with Hoops and Brundrett, seniors Nate Mowery and Brad Merillat return. Merillat was part of
Perrysburg’s third-place NLL second doubles team last season.
"Those four seniors are the core of our varsity team," Weider said.
Junior Zack Mills completes Perrysburg’s returning letter winners this season.
"We’re hoping to win the league again. That’s always something that I think every team hopes to
do," Weider said. "We have that as a team goal. We have a goal to move on through the
districts as a team, and then we have individual players that have aspirations of moving on into the
districts and on to state.
"We have a big season ahead, and we’re looking forward to it."
The NLL race should be tight once again. Perrysburg edged Bowling Green for the overall title last
season, tieing the Bobcats for the tournament title but taking the league championship due to a better
regular-season record.
Southview, Rossford and Northview all finished within nine points of Perrysburg and BG at the NLL
tournament last season.
"We need to be focused in the times they need to perform. There’s going to be some good competition
out there. Bowling Green has a good program. Northview always has a good program," Weider said.
"We’re going to need to play well against those teams."
Weider, who is in his first organized head coaching position, is a manager at the Perrysburg Tennis
Center along with his wife.
"It’s a good group of kids. They have a lot of fun playing the game," Weider said. "They
have a good perspective. They’re good sports out there too. They enjoy seeing a good shot even if it’s
against them. They’ll clap their rackets to a good shot.
"That’s really important. I stress good sportsmanship. I think that’s what makes the game a lot of
fun, is to respect your opponent … We’re going to have a good team and we’re going to have fun doing
it."