OSAKIS — The Osakis boys tennis team took a clear step forward this spring.
Competing in Section 8A, the Silverstreaks finished the season with a 6-13 record, winning four more matches than they did the previous year and showing improvement across the roster.
For head coach Justin George, that progress was the biggest takeaway from the season.
“Our goal was to improve from the previous season, and I believe we accomplished that,” George said. “We also added more kids to the roster, which will strengthen both the team and the program for years to come. The growth we saw this season has laid a solid foundation for the future.”
The top individual highlight came from Drew VanNyhuis, who placed third at the Section 8A individual tournament. His postseason run gave Osakis a strong finish near the top of the section field and helped cap a season built around development.
The Silverstreaks also had three players finish with a .500 record or better, led by VanNyhuis at 16-7. Tyler Stier was 12-9 in matches over the season in the top flight of singles and Kellan George finished at 13-8.
“We still have room to improve, but we are getting better as a team,” George said.
That improvement was not always reflected only in the final score of each match. George said the team’s work during the season and offseason helped create growth that could be seen across the roster.
“The biggest highlight was seeing the overall improvement across the entire team,” George said. “Wins and losses don’t always reflect the hard work these kids put in throughout the season and during the offseason. Their dedication, effort, and growth have been incredible to watch, and I’m proud of what each of them accomplished.”
The Silverstreaks’ six wins marked a meaningful jump for a team still building its foundation. Adding numbers to the roster also gives Osakis more options moving forward as the program looks to continue developing players throughout singles and doubles competition.
For George, the message from the season is one he hopes carries into the future. Improvement comes from steady work, commitment and trust in the process, even when results do not show up right away.
“Put in the work, and you will get better,” George said. “Success isn’t measured solely by wins and losses. They don’t tell the whole story of how you’ve competed, improved, or performed. Stay committed to the process, trust your training, and the results will come.”
Blake Durham is the Sports and Outdoors Editor at the Echo Press. He joined the newspaper in September 2025 and covers various sports in Alexandria and throughout Douglas County. He graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 2022.