As spring arrives, student-athletes are preparing for the 2025 competitive season. With a mix of returning talent and new players, teams are eager to make their mark. Coaches and athletes have been working hard during the off-season, and expectations are high as the first competitions approach.

Kicking off the spring season is the Walled Lake United boys lacrosse team. This year marks a unique chapter as the team makes its debut following the merger of all three Walled Lake high schools.

Head Coach Jason Lewis led last year’s WLN/WLC team to an 8-8 record, finishing third in the league, while WLW ended with an 8-6 record, placing second. With the recent merger, the team is set to feature key returning players from all schools.

Returning from Walled Lake Western are Team All-State Faceoff Specialist Andrew Jones, All-LVC LSM Chase Rybak, midfielder Hunter Maltese, and defenseman Colin Golic. From Walled Lake Northern, All-LVC LSM Lucas Shemenski is back, while Connor Doughty returns from Walled Lake Central. Notably, Jones, Maltese, and Golic are all committed to playing collegiate lacrosse next year.

One of the biggest questions for the newly formed team is who will take on the crucial role of goalie, as both teams’ goalkeepers graduated last year. Competing for the starting position are Harry Guillery from Walled Lake Western and Lukasz Grumowicz from Walled Lake Northern.

Walled Lake United will make its highly anticipated debut this Saturday, March 15, as they travel to Linden High School to face the Eagles at 9 a.m.

Looking to defend their Oakland County championship in the 4x100 and 4x200 relays, the men’s track and field team enters the season under the leadership of Head Coach David Auger. The Warriors finished the 2024 season with a 7-5 overall record, placing third in the league.

Key returners include sprinters Rodney Endsley, Timon Dogan, and senior Troy Temple. Temple is also a crucial returner in the high jump, along with hurdler Kayson Legg.

As the team aims to defend its relay titles, filling key positions—including throwers for shot put and discus—will be a priority. The Warriors will make their season debut at the Saginaw Valley State University Indoor Invitational on Wednesday, March 19.

The girls' tennis team enters a rebuilding year under first-year Head Coach Christian Hojnicki. Coming off a 2024 season in which they finished with a 4-5 overall record and placed fourth in the league, the Warriors are looking to fill several key spots after graduating eight players—including all four singles competitors.

Returning leaders include seniors Eden Levy and Vidya Vuyyuru, junior Emily Schmitz, and sophomore Ferzeen Kavarana. These players are expected to step up and help guide the team through the transition.

The Lady Warriors will face their rivals, Walled Lake Central, in their season opener on April 2 at 6 p.m. at Western’s home courts.

Looking to build on last year’s success, Head Coach Scott Peterson and the Warriors baseball team enter the 2025 season after finishing 16-13 overall and 12-11 in league play.

The team returns several key players, including Zach Emmer, Lucas Price, Logan Saks, Bernie Amador, Lucas Hoffmeyer, Pasha Goffee, Novak Lazich, and Vincent Roach. Additionally, new team members Dallas Sauve, Eli Blanco, and Mickey Gross are expected to contribute significantly.

One of the biggest challenges will be filling the catcher and shortstop positions after last year’s starters graduated. Saks is expected to take over behind the plate, while the shortstop position remains open, with Lazich, Sauve, Blanco, and Gross all competing for the role.

The Warriors will open their season on the road against Lakeland High School on April 2 at 4 p.m.

The “bomb squad” is back and ready for another season under Head Coach Daniel O’Connell. The Warriors finished the 2024 season with a 13-17 record, placing sixth in the league.

Returning players include Ava Domzalski, Sierra Geisler, Maddie Farrand, Erika Nakanishi, and Maddi Bancroft. Additionally, newcomers Audrianna Thorsell, Izamar Oberholtzer, Bailey Cockfield, and Hannah Fisher are expected to make an impact.

As the team searches for pitching depth, Coach O’Connell looks to build on last season’s progress by fostering strong leadership and integrating new talent.

The Warriors will play their home opener on April 3 against Lakeland High School at 4 p.m.

Adding to the excitement of the spring season, the men’s volleyball team is set to take on rivals Walled Lake Central on March 17 at 6 p.m. at Geisler Middle School.

Meanwhile, the girls' soccer team will kick off their season at home on March 20 at 6 p.m. against St. Catherine’s, while the girls' lacrosse team will take the field at 5:30 p.m. to face Tecumseh High School at Walled Lake Central.

With intense matchups ahead and as the Warriors gear up for the season, fans can look forward to thrilling competition, fierce rivalries, and standout performances from the spring athletes of Walled Lake Western.