Cooper Remy and Philip Etzel of Lexington are already eyeing a return to the Division II state tennis tournament after a successful postseason campaign that saw them reach the quarterfinals and earn second team All-Ohio honors. With their chemistry, talent, and determination, the pair is optimistic about their chances in 2026. Their journey this season included sectional and district titles, as well as a hard-fought match against eventual third-place finishers Lucas Xue and Rowen Lo from Columbus Academy. Despite falling short of the championship, Remy and Etzel gained valuable experience and confidence, setting the stage for an even stronger run next year.
Their partnership began with a clear goal: to build toward a title run. Though they acknowledged they weren’t quite ready to win it all this season, they used each match to grow as a team. One of their most telling performances came at the Lexington Invitational, where they narrowly lost to New Albany’s Jackson Clement and Tyler Thomas—who later won the Division I doubles crown with another partner. That close call served as a benchmark for what they could achieve if they continued developing their game together.
In the postseason, Remy and Etzel were dominant early on, sweeping through sectional play and dropping only seven games across four matches in districts. They carried that momentum into the state tournament, winning their first-round match handily before facing off against the formidable duo from Columbus Academy. The match was tightly contested, with Remy and Etzel holding leads in both sets before ultimately falling just short. Their coach, Schaub, noted that they played well enough to win but fell victim to key moments slipping away under pressure.
Looking ahead, the duo draws inspiration from past success within their own program. Ethan Remy and Dylan Catanese faced a disappointing first-round loss in 2023 but returned the following year to become the first state champions in Lexington history. Cooper and Etzel see a similar path forward—one built on resilience, experience, and incremental improvements over time. As Cooper pointed out, his third trip to the state tournament should bring greater composure and focus, giving them a better chance to capitalize when opportunities arise.
Their contrasting styles contribute significantly to their effectiveness on the court. Etzel brings power and intensity, especially when he's in rhythm, while Remy focuses on precision and calm decision-making. This balance allows them to complement each other well and adjust during matches. Coach Schaub also sees similarities between this current pairing and the previous champions, noting how their strengths mirror those of Ethan and Catanese. He believes that with more focused training, particularly on groundstrokes, Remy will be even more dangerous next season.
With several top teams losing players to graduation, including the pair they nearly defeated at state, Remy and Etzel find themselves in a favorable position heading into next year. Etzel, who has been competing at a high level since his early teens, credits the recent near-miss with reigniting his confidence and motivation. Having tasted the atmosphere of the state tournament, he now believes he can succeed on that stage—not just in doubles, but potentially in singles as well. Meanwhile, Lexington continues to build a strong tennis tradition, led by a core group of talented players and a coaching staff committed to long-term development.