ROCKFORD ATHLETICS I HOME OF THE RAMS

The Rockford Boys Varsity Tennis Team kicked off their 2025 campaign at one of Michigan’s most storied tournaments, the Elliott Pearce Invitational. A proud tradition in Michigan high school tennis, the Pearce Invite has run for decades, drawing many of the state’s top programs year after year. For the Rams, it has long been a true measuring stick to see how they stack up against elite competition right out of the gate. This season was no exception, as Rockford finished in 4th place in a highly competitive field. Troy captured the team title with 21 points, followed by Detroit Country Day (19), Forest Hills Northern (15), Rockford (14), Forest Hills Central (8), Berkley (7), Traverse City St. Francis (6), and Traverse City West (6). For head coach Tom Huizing, the tournament provided the perfect stage to test his team early. “This event always shows us where we’re at,” Huizing said. “We’ve spent the past week competing against ourselves, but our guys were hungry for some true match play. Today, we got to see how we measure up against the best in the state.” The Rams showed grit and resilience throughout the day, fighting through tough draws and earning key wins across the lineup. While Rockford knows there is room to grow, the early-season challenge has only fueled their determination. “We represented, we fought, we found ways to win,” Huizing added. “We also learned about some of our shortcomings, and we’re excited to work on those areas to make us more complete players and a stronger team. This was a great way to start our journey.” With the Elliott Pearce Invite behind them, the Rams are eager to build on this foundation as they head into a season filled with big opportunities. Go Rams!