Here are 17 Seacoast high school boys tennis players to watch in 2026

The start of the 2026 high school boys tennis season is here, and there are several standout players hitting the courts across the Seacoast.

The list includes St. Thomas Aquinas senior Alex Molda, the reigning NHIAA singles champion

We are highlighting 17 local players from Winnacunnet High School, Exeter High School, Portsmouth High School, Spaulding High School, Dover High School, Oyster River High School, and St. Thomas Aquinas in New Hampshire, and York High School and Marshwood High School in Maine.

On the list includes 11 seniors, one junior, four sophomores, and one freshman.

Griffin Baughman, Spaulding High School, senior

Baughman holds Spaulding’s No. 1 singles spot for the second straight season.

First-year head coach Tyler Nutter likes what he has seen from Baughman’s leadership.

“I like his whole game and his knowledge of the game,” Nutter said. “I like his positioning, and his footwork. He understands being in the right place.”

Nutter is hoping for a couple of wins out of Baughman this season.

“A couple of wins this year would be really good for him,” Nutter said. “He has to face every other team’s ace. It’s one thing to be our best, but he’s going to face the best of everybody else every match.

“I think he’ll be deserving of a better record than what he’ll have at the end of the season just because he has to face the cream of the crop,” Nutter continued.

Baughman will also play No. 1 doubles for the Red Raiders.

Brennan Ciani, York High School, senior

Ciani played at No. 1 doubles last season for the Wildcats, and York first-year head coach Matan Lushkov is still determining where Ciani fits best on the ladder this season.

“He has really stepped up in terms of leadership, and we’re excited to see where that takes him and how that translates to his on-court performance. But, I’ve been loving how he has been leading the team, and how he has taken a leadership role with his peers. That has been great to see.”

David Curro, Winnacunnet High School, sophomore

Curro, as a freshman, went 14-0 in the regular season at No. 1 singles for Winnacunnet last year. He was the No. 2 seed in the NHIAA individual tournament, advancing to the quarterfinal round.

“His biggest aspect is his mental game and ability to win big points,” Winnacunnet head coach Brian Beck said. “His ability to constantly work and improve is amazing.”

Curro was elected a team captain this season.

“Hopefully, he will help lead these young players to some good wins this season,” Beck said.

David Duval, Marshwood High School, senior

Duval went undefeated at No. 2 singles for the Hawks last season, and held his own when he moved up the ladder to No. 1.

“David is really good technical player that could be a really solid No. 1 singles player in the state, especially when serving the ball well,” Marshwood head coach Ben Deschenes said.

Owen Kassatly, York High School, sophomore

Kassatly manned the No. 1 singles position last year for the Wildcats, and he is likely to be back there this spring for first-year York head coach Matan Lushkov.

“I am looking forward to seeing him elevate his game and solidifying his role as the No. 1 player,” Lushkov said. “He has a strong groundstroke game, and really looking to solidify the maturity of his game, and asserting himself as a solid No. 1 player for us.”

Diego Lopez, Dover High School, senior

Lopez, entering his fourth year near the top of the Dover ladder, went 11-3 last season at No. 1 singles for the Green Wave. Lopez was at No. 1 singles for his freshman season, and No. 2 as a sophomore. He turned to No. 1 last year, and that is where he will be in his final season.

“He’s a technical player, his technique and mindset are both strong,” Dover head coach Griffin Leach said. “He’s. typically an aggressive player, and likes to go for the winning shot. I expect him to continue playing as a top player, and hopefully be seated for the singles tournament.” “

Lopez also played No. 1 doubles last season, advancing to the Division I quarterfinal round with partner Nate Bigelow, who has graduated. Lopez will play No. 1 doubles this season with his younger brother, Matias.

Matias Lopez, Dover High School, freshman

Lopez, the younger brother of Diego, is already making a name for himself as he has earned the No. 2 singles spot in Dover’s ladder.

“His work ethic is extremely strong,” Dover head coach Griffin Leach said. “He wants to compete at a high level. He’s been playing tennis for a really long time. He’s super skillful, and dominant at the net.” 

Leach has no concerns of Lopez being competitive at No. 2 singles as a freshman.

“He’s played against strong competition … in the USTA, he’s no stranger to high-level competition,” Leach said. “I think you could be looking at close to, if not, an undefeated season. It’s possible.”

The Lopez brothers will play No. 1 doubles this season for the Green Wave.

Connor Monette, Oyster River High School, senior

Monette spent the last two years at No. 1 singles for Oyster River, and that is where he will be for his senior season with the Bobcats. He plays year-round in USTA junior tournaments.

“Connor is excited to compete again with the top players in Division II,” Oyster River head coach Michael Pare said. “Having just missed the state tournament in previous years, he is hoping to add that experience to his high school tennis resume this year in both singles and doubles.”

Monette, as an eighth-grader, was the team manager in Oyster River’s championship season in 2023.

“We will lean on that experience on this year’s team,” Pare said.

Monette is a co-captain this season for the Bobcats, and will also play No. 1 doubles.

Felix Scarlat, Oyster River High School, senior

Scarlat primarily played at either No. 4 or 5 singles last season for the Bobcats, and is positioned to start the season at No. 2, according to head coach Michael Pare.

“He has started out in top form,” Pare said. “His game has elevated entering this season and he looks to team up at No. 1 doubles with (Monette).”  

Jiles Tracz, Portsmouth High School, senior

Tracz went 13-1 last season at No. 1 singles for Portsmouth, advancing to the second round of the NHIAA singles tournament.

Tracz, a Division II all-state second-team selection last season, had a commanding lead in the second round of the individual tourney and “suffered a tough loss.”

“That was a good lesson for him to learn, and he has dedicated his offseason to improving his play and closing out matches,” Portsmouth head coach Anthony Sillitta said.

Tracz and Amitay Hay Tene went 11-2 at No. 1 doubles last season, and will team up again this season.

“Jiles has a great work ethic and desire to improve,” Sillitta said. “He’s a very intellectual player and understands how to break down his opponent. His forehand, backhand consistency and his serve is developing into a solid part of his game.”

Amitay Hay Tene, Portsmouth High School, senior

Hay Tene, a Division II all-state second-team selection last season, went 10-4 at No. 2 doubles in the regular season for the Clippers, and retired due to injury in his first match at last season’s individual tournament.

“He’ll be hungry to have a better showing this year,” Portsmouth head coach Anthony Sillitta said.

Hay Tene and Jiles Tracz went 11-2 at No. 1 doubles last season, and will team up again this season.

“Amitay is a great competitor and truly wants to win each match,” Sillitta said. “His style is a little unique but the way he grinds out tennis matches and makes his opponent earn each point is a great part of his game.”

Aaron Molda, St. Thomas Aquinas, sophomore

Molda went 14-1 at No. 2 singles last season as a freshman for the Saints, and teamed with his older brother, Alex, to go 15-0 at No. 1 doubles.

Molda advanced to the Round of 16 in the state individual tournament, falling to the eventual finalist, and earned Division III all-state first-team honors.

“I expect Aaron to build on an outstanding freshman season,” St. Thomas head coach Adam Molda said. “While most players would be satisfied with that level of success, Aaron holds himself to a higher standard. With his athleticism, competitiveness, and powerful forehand, I’m excited to see the leap he makes this year.”

Alex Molda, St. Thomas Aquinas, senior

Molda won the 2025 NHIAA individual state championship, beating Bedford’s No. 1 player in straight sets, 6-1, 6-0. Molda went 15-0 at No. 1 singles for the Saints in the regular season, and teamed with his younger brother, Aaron, to go 15-0 at No. 1 doubles.

“Alex has been dominant throughout his career and continues to elevate his game,” St. Thomas Aquinas head coach Andy Molda said. “This season, I expect him to lead by example, support his teammates, and continue pushing himself as we pursue a team state championship.”

Molda has been named the Division III Player of the Year for the past two seasons, and was a Division III all-state fist-team selection.

Owen Russell, Exeter High School, junior

Russell went 12-4 at No. 1 singles and 8-5 at No. 1 doubles last season for the Blue Hawks. Russell qualified for the NHIAA individual tournament and advanced to the quarterfinals, becoming the first Blue Hawk to reach this round since 2011.

“Owen is very calm under pressure,” Exeter head coach Justin Tardif said. “He does not get too high or too low during a match. This led to a couple of big comeback wins, and some tight matches last season which he pulled out. When the pressure is on, there is no one who I would want on the court than Owen. Owen will rely on his consistent groundstrokes to win matches this season from the baseline.”

Camden Smith, Spaulding High School, senior

Smith played No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles last season for the Red Raiders, and that is where he’ll be this year as well.

“He’s our clear No. 2 guy right now,” Spaulding first-year head coach Tyler Nutter said. “Physically, he’s a big kid. He has a lot of power in his game which is nice. He has a really tricky little slice to his shot which can drive a lot of. opponents.”

Nutter said a three- or four-win season out of Smith at No. 2 would be a success.

“That would be a great season,” Nutter said.

Smith and Griffin Baughman will play at No. 1 doubles.

Coco Pazourek, Exeter High School, sophomore

Pazourek went 12-4 at No. 3 singles, and 7-6 at No. 2 doubles for the Blue Hawks last season. Pazourek will most likely move up to No. 2 season, and will team up with Owen Russell at No. 1 doubles.

Exeter head coach Justin Tardif called Pazourek a “hard-nose, gritty player.”

“He does what it takes to win,” Tardif said. “If that requires playing a two-hour match, then that is what he will do. He uses his speed on the baseline to get a lot of shots back, and has some nice hands at the net to finish off the points. Coco will use his speed and quickness along with a solid net game to win points this season.”

Ethan Waddell, Marshwood High School, senior

Waddell had time at both Nos. 1 and 2 singles last season for the Hawks, and will battle for one of the top two spots in his senior season.

“Ethan has a strong forehand but what makes him special is his competitiveness and his quickness in tracking down shots,” Marshwood head coach Ben Deschenes said.

Editor’s note: Coaches from all Seacoast area high schools were invited to highlight players for this story.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: 17 Seacoast NH ME high school boys tennis players to watch in 2026