WAPAKONETA — Wapakoneta’s Emerson Hager, a Grand Lake Christian senior, captured the Division I Sectional singles title by defeating Findlay’s Matt Munoz, 6-0, 6-1 in the finals last Saturday to advance to Division I district tournament in Bowling Green on Thursday.
Now, Hager is eyeing a trip to state, something he might have been able to accomplish three years ago.
Prior to 2013, a student-athlete at a private institution was not allowed to play for a local public school, under the guidelines of the Ohio High School Athletic Association. But the rule was adjusted in 2014 and Hager took advantage by becoming a member of the Wapak team.
Hager, who enjoyed the camaraderie of being on a team that last two years, helped the Redskins to their best finish in the Western Buckeye League since 1991 with an overall second place this season. As a senior, Hager won the Western Buckeye League’s first singles title that capped off a perfect 16-0 regular season.
Hager admits he had to adjust to be being part of a team because he was used to playing on his own.
“It was different, said Hager about joining the Redskin squad. “Not in the sense of competition because most of the kids who were in the WBL I played against growing up, but it was a change not being on my own and being on a team. But I enjoyed being on a team.”
With the beginning of the postseason, Hager found himself on his own again, so to speak, but this is something he was accustomed to and his game has not suffered.
Hager steamrolled through the Division I sectional first singles bracket held at Findlay. He lost just two games against his three opponents.
Hager credits his family and coaches for his development as a tennis player.
“Two out of the three siblings played tennis (in my family) so I was kind of under their wing in a sense,” Hager said.
The lessons he learned under this siblings’ guidance, along with a father who is heavy into tennis, and the coaches he has had along the way, have made Hager one of the best tennis players in the area.
Redskin head coach Jason Johnson said he is one of the best all-around players he has coached and has a great sense of the court and knows where to put the ball where he needs to and also possesses excellent footwork.
Johnson remarked that he is proud of progress Hager has made in his two years at Wapakoneta and added that he will need to play some flawless tennis if he is going to punch his ticket to the state tournament in Mason.
“Division I tennis is very tough in this area,” Johnson said. “He is going to face some challenges.
One of Hager’s primary goals was to win sectionals so he could prepare himself for the tougher players he will face.
“To go into districts as a number one seed is so much different than going in as a two seed because now I will play a one seed in the semifinals compared to the quarterfinals if I would have went in as a two seed,” Hager said. “It definitely was an achievement I needed if I wanted to qualify for state.”
Looming in Hager’s bracket is Rajeev Laugani of Toledo St. John’s Jesuit. Laugani is considered one of the favorites.
Hager said he really hasn’t changed up his preparation for the districts and is focused on advancing to state.
“I realize what is at hand and this is my last chance, so that is all the motivation I really need,” Hager added.
The top two singles players at the district will advance to state.
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