Our Crimson Knights

Varsity Tennis Enters Spring with Confidence After Breakthrough Season

Varsity Tennis Coach Morgan Phillips has the Knights heading into spring with a real sense of belief. After reaching the New England Class B Tournament for the first time since 2019 last year, the team finally figured out how to put teams away. 

“Last season was the first year we learned how to handle business. We didn’t have any losses that we shouldn’t have,” Coach Phillips said. Instead, they played with a calm edge, a kind of maturity that carried them all the way to New Englands. 

The real defining moment? It came when everything was on the line. Tied 3–3 against Kingswood Oxford in a must-win match to punch their ticket to New Englands, the contest came down to Team Captain Sullivan Reilly ‘25. There was tension everywhere. 

Phillips remembers it clearly: “Four guys pulled out huge wins.” Reilly’s match went down to a third-set tiebreaker, with both teams crowding the court. “He [Reilly] clutched up. It was awesome.” That kind of toughness, Phillips says, changed the whole vibe of the program, on the court and off. 

Now it’s about pushing further. Captains Burke Cameron ‘26 and Declan Hessler ‘26 are back, leading the way with what Phillips calls “leadership and skill.” The returning players set the tone and keep everyone sharp. 

At the same time, new faces like MacLean Hessler ‘29 and Peyton Cypes ‘28 are stepping in right away. Phillips doesn’t hide his excitement; he’s got “very high hopes” for both. The mix of steady veterans and hungry newcomers gives Salisbury a lineup that feels ready for anything this two-month gauntlet of a season throws at them. 

Preparation has been a big story so far. With the opening of the Whipple Tennis Center, the team finally got to train year-round. Coach Phillips pointed out, “Our guys have been taking advantage of it and grinding all winter.” The focus? Fast feet, better fitness, and serves that do more than just get the point started. Phillips wants the serve to be a weapon, and he’s pushed everyone to move quicker and compete harder. 

For Cameron, the season carries a different kind of weight. As one of only two returning starters, Cameron knows the responsibility that comes with setting the tone for a young team. “Everyone in the starting lineup graduated except for Declan and me,” he said. “So, this feels like a fresh start.” 

Cameron has focused his offseason on sharpening the details, adding more spin and consistency to his backhand, increasing the pace on his serve, and becoming more confident at the net. But for him, growth isn’t just technical. “A lot of the best players are the ones who stay aggressive in the biggest moments,” he said. “That’s something I’m always working on.” 

More than anything, Cameron wants the team to embrace the joy of competing. “I want people to love tennis,” he said. “If you’re having fun and working hard, everything else kind of takes care of itself.” 

For the newcomer MacLean Hessler, that preparation has been just as mental as it has been physical. “Tennis is usually such an individual sport,” Hessler said. “But when you’re playing for a school and competing as a team, it’s a completely different dynamic.” 

While he worked on all aspects of his game in the offseason, Hessler emphasized the importance of the mental side. “The biggest difference between top junior players isn’t always talent,” he said. “It’s focus, confidence, and how you handle pressure.” 

In tight moments, Hessler relies on preparation, reminding himself of the work he has put in and trusting that it will show when it matters most. “I know that I’ve done the work. I know I’m prepared,” he said. 

His goals this season are simple: winning as many matches as possible, contributing to the team’s success, and continuing to improve toward the collegiate level. “I don’t want to let my teammates down,” Hessler said. “If we all push each other and motivate each other, we can accomplish a lot.” 

With that mindset running through both its veterans and newcomers, Salisbury isn’t just hoping to repeat last year’s success. They want to build on it. 

This preview was written by Paul Shyposh ‘26. It was first published in the March 2026 issue of The Cupola.