The DODEA European tennis championships might be in Wiesbaden, Germany, but the road to the titles goes through the Kaiserslautern Military Community.

For the third consecutive season, all singles and doubles titles went either to the Raiders or Royals. Kaiserslautern’s Stella Schmitz made it five-straight girls singles crowns claimed by a Schmitz, while Ramstein’s Tristan Chandler, who began his career as a Raider, cruised to his third boys singles trophy.

Add in Ramstein twins (and boys doubles partners) Eric and Sean Kim, who graduated, and the unbeaten Alisa Dietzel and Hover of Kaiserslautern in girls doubles, and it was another perfect result for the KMC.

Yet at some point, the rest of Europe will catch up, and players and teams will be hoping this is that year. And, at least in girls play, there’s a rather large opening. Schmitz, who’s older sister Avia preceded her as champion before moving on to the University of Minnesota, won’t be defending her title as a senior, choosing to concentrate her efforts outside of high school play.

This year’s champions will be decided at the T2 Sports Health Club in Wiesbaden on Oct. 24-26.

Here’s a team-by-team look based on coaches’ responses:

Alconbury

The Dragons were shut out of European qualification in 2023.

The athletes returning – Andrew Barbee, Ana Alejandro Deiz, Adriana Alejandro Deiz, Noelle Steele, Gabriella Pantoja, Jacob Haines, Gavin Rich, Isaac Stoker, Rosco Brady, Harvey Norris, Anderson Steele and Logan Ballew – will try to change that in 2024.

New to the team are Max Frankfield, Kyie Henson and Daniel Schmollinger.

Ansbach

The Cougars have resurrected their tennis program, going from one player three years ago to full boys and girls teams of six athletes this fall.

The one who started it all was senior Meredith Maxwell. The three-time European qualifier set the school record with 25 career wins at No. 1 singles last season.

The Lovallo brothers – senior Bobby and sophomore Jack – qualified for the final tournament as a doubles pair and look to do the same this season.

Also coming back are sophomore Elizabeth Agudzi-Addo, Sarah Felice and Lincoln Ritter.

New to the team are Brodie Kohrs, Lucas Rudy, Kwace Jones, Busisiwe Ndleleni, Vincent Figueroa Otero and Laysha Bobbitt.

Bahrain

The Falcons don’t have a full European schedule, but as shown by doubles pair Matthew Mendoza and Carson Owens’ run into the semifinals last fall, they can be a force.

Mendoza, now a senior, returns, as does fellow senior and singles European qualifier Ja’Cori Thomas. Both will try to replicate the success from last fall.

The rest of the roster consists of seniors Tala Alwan, Ronald Henderson and Alek St. Germain; sophomores Mushari Alaradi, Alyssa Annoni, Osabomwen Ekhibise, Hector Espinosa and Jasmine Myers; and freshmen Evelyn Lightfoot and Naomi Reed.

Brussels

The Brigands’ Euro-qualifying girls singles and doubles pair have moved on, but between the boys and girls squads from last year, half are back.

So, coach Michael Zinn and his players are anticipating a similar contingent making it to Wiesbaden.

Almina Kocabas and Adrianne Chezik were undefeated as a doubles team in 2023, and they will step into the No. 1 doubles pair role this fall. Others with experience are Claire Kulis, Juliette Burgos and Gabby Rohrer.

For the boys, Elham Aziri was a late addition to the European tournament, and he even picked up a win on the first day less than 24 hours after learning he was a replacement. Zinn said Aziri has improved over the offseason.

Kai Zinn will play No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles with Aziri, and Sebastian Burgos and Hudson Kinard continue their growth in just their second year in the sport.

Elliah Benifield, Ivica Domazetov, Matthew Rogers, Gagik Sargsyan and Analise Tydingco join the Brigands this fall.

Kaiserslautern

What more can be said about the girls program?

Seniors Hover and Dietzel have won the past two doubles titles, with Hover having a third her freshman campaign with Schmitz. They enter the season as the large favorites to finish off their high school careers with another title.

Other veterans include Aubrey Gracia, Sydney Hodge, Audrey Patterson and Addison Starck.

The boys team is no slouch, either. Jace Martin was the European singles runner-up last fall, and European qualifiers Isaac Holly and Bryan Oh are back. Other returners are Leo DiPaola, Harlan Adams, Sam Gowel and Elijah Rodriguez.

Lakenheath

Seven-year coach Kyle Siftar his squad will be stronger this year than last.

Sophomore Jonathan Soito leads the way after making European competition as a freshman. Siftar said Soito got private lessons in the offseason.

Naples

The Wildcats have a couple of bright spots this fall.

Liliana Stutzman earned the seventh seed for the 2023 Euros. Brothers Erion Lord, a senior, and Yoel Lord, a freshman, will play doubles together.

Ramstein

The Royals may have only Chandler back of their 2023 European qualifiers, but he’s a good piece to have.

Still, coach Alfredo Rios said the team already has candidates for the top doubles teams for both boys and girls. The coach also said the girls side has a few players challenging for the top singles position.

Ramstein has three freshmen joining the boys – Daniel Moore, Ivan Buntak and Owen Schaefer – and the girls – Scarlett Hosey, Charlotte Phillips and Julianna Selman.

Rota

New coach Shauna Derrickson said the future looks bright for Admiral tennis.

The travel team consists of Athena Stewart, Bianca Westberg, Danaeyah Dorn, Natalie Ryder, Rebecca Owins, Maria Isabel Lanker, Caden Ryder, Ronald Ryder and Tyler Marcus.

SHAPE

Fifth-year mentor Claire Rumery anticipates a big year from the Spartans, competing against the top schools across Europe.

Alejandro Cuesta helms the top singles seed on the “small but mighty” boys team. The junior has qualified both previous seasons for the European tournament, and he placed fourth as a sophomore.

Andrea Elena has shown promise, growing by hitting with his practice partner, Cuesta.

On the girls side, SHAPE retains its top two players and seeds four through eight.

Junior Georgia Bourtzi advanced to Euros as a sophomore and ended up in eighth place.

Senior Chiara D’Arrigo returns as the second singles player and qualified twice in doubles with the departed Marianna Torrente de la Pisa. Rumery said D’Arrigo is hoping to find a new partner.

Three freshmen have shown signs of being key contributors – Salvador Soares, Karol Malec and Evelina Vindis.

Sigonella

Senior Charlize Caro hasn’t finished worse than fourth in her high school career. And after earning runner-up honors, she’s hoping to take the next step and stand atop the podium.

Max Mercado made it to Wiesbaden in his first season as a Jaguar with former teammate Kennan Hager.

Other returners are Katie Balbo, Meghan Nguyen, Chase Miller, Joseph Eck and Travis Miller.

Joining the Jaguars are Madison Hoy, Tess Martinson, Claire Martinson, Maya Mercado, Jessica Gruny and Raegan Cayce.

Spangdahlem

Hudson Hulet and Sandrine Bennett come back after qualifying for boys singles and girls doubles, respectively.

Yet no other top 5 players are back for the Sentinels.

Coach Nate Goolsby expressed hope the other returners will get better and help Spangdahlem be competitive.

Stuttgart

The Panthers lost a lot of talent to graduation, but coach Amy Rochowiak said this team has the most talent she’s ever coached at Stuttgart.

She described the girls as being an extremely tough squad. The Panthers bring back singles qualifier Isabel Williams and doubles qualifier Allison Hayes. Other returners include Bryn Henry and Samantha Doherty.

On the boys side, Blake Bernhard, Aaron Radke and Brett Pound are back.

Newcomers are Izabella Farias, Annika Hogan, Ema Causevic, Victoria Kalalang, Jake Snow, Daniel Kim, Brain Bonanno and Nathaniel Miller. Isabella and Matthew Suber transferred in from Okinawa.

Vicenza

The Cougars already know their top doubles pairs for the girls and boys and anticipate the quartet have more success in 2024.

Annika Svenson and Addie Wilson made a deep run in the tournament before running into Hoover and Dietzel in the championship match. Andrew Reed and Jacob McGovern also qualified for the boys tournament in 2023.

Michael Gillett will be the No. 1 boys singles player, while Erik Findley is a freshman coach Mark Gillett has an eye on to do something in the future.

K-town Sports