FSHS junior Ian Pultz-Earle reaches for a return against Shawnee Mission Northwest on Tuesday, April 5, 2016, at Rock Chalk Park.

During the last offseason, tennis became more than just an activity for Free State High junior Seamus Ryan. It became a passion.

When he was in the seventh or eighth grade, Ryan started to play more regularly. But that meant going to the courts about once or twice a week before the season started.

Last summer, Ryan played nearly every day. After earning a spot at the Class 6A state tournament in doubles last season, Ryan has his eyes set on making a big impact this year.

Ryan has started strong, winning all three of his matches on Tuesday at the Free State quadrangular, winning two matches at No. 1 singles and finishing the day with a victory at No. 2 doubles.

It was a similar story for his team. The Firebirds swept the quadrangular, winning 10 of their 12 matches against Shawnee Mission North, SM Northwest and Olathe Northwest at Rock Chalk Park.

“Last year, making it to state was my goal,” Ryan said. “I think this year, trying to place in the top 12 — make it to Day Two — is really what I’m aiming for. I trained so hard in the offseason. I switched clubs. I’m doing everything I can just to try to improve every day.”

During spring break, Ryan said he played eight or nine matches over a seven-day stretch.

This season, Ryan has made the move from No. 2 doubles to No. 1 singles. Free State coach Keith Pipkin said the varsity lineup will likely rotate throughout the season, but Ryan has proved himself as one of the top options for his team.

“I just tried to play as many singles matches as I could during the offseason, trying to improve my singles game,” Ryan said. “I didn’t play as much doubles. I definitely think it paid off.”

At No. 1 singles, Ryan won 8-1 in a match against SM North’s Anthony Giambalvo and he rolled to an 8-3 win against SM Northwest.

Ryan still enjoys playing doubles when he gets the chance, and he teamed with Cooper Rasmussen for an 8-2 victory over Olathe Northwest at No. 2 doubles.

Along with Ryan, Rasmussen won all three of his matches, including two victories at No. 2 singles. Sophomore Garrett Luinstra teamed with freshman Sawyer Nickel for two wins at No. 2 doubles and then Luinstra won 8-0 at No. 2 singles against Olathe Northwest.

“I think we’re really good,” Pipkin said. “We’ve got the talent. I think we have to mentally prepare ourselves for every single match. Once we do that, we’re going to get better and better and that’s the whole idea.”

At No. 1 doubles, junior Ian Pultz-Earle and sophomore Erik Czapinski posted a 2-1 record. The two combined for 12th place at state last season.

“We had a match last week that got rained out part of the way through. So this was our first full day of playing together this year,” Pultz-Earle said. “It’s been good. Keith has us working on some new things so maybe we’re losing some points now, but we’re working on things in the long run.”

With the lineup still to be decided, Pultz-Earle said he’s not sure if he will end up as a doubles partner with Czapinski. But if they do, “we definitely can be more successful than last year.”

“I think the team this year is the best it’s been in a while,” Pultz-Earle said. “It’s nice to see how it’s all coming along.”

Tuesday at Rock Chalk Park

Free State 4, SM North 0

No. 1 singles — Seamus Ryan, FS, def. Anthony Giambalvo, SMN, 8-1.

No. 2 singles — Cooper Rasmussen, FS, def. Grant Oltremari, SMN, 8-3.

No. 1 doubles — Ian Pultz-Earle/Erik Czapinski, FS, def. Keighan Miller/Miles McLenon, SMN, 8-0.

No. 2 doubles — Sawyer Nickel/Garrett Luinstra, FS, def. Chase Hamilton/Ian Grochowsky, SMN, 8-0.

Free State 3, SM Northwest 1

No. 1 singles — Ryan, FS, def. Gage Oberheu, SMNW, 8-3.

No. 2 singles — Rasmussen, FS, def. Tevyn Pak, SMNW, 8-1.

No. 1 doubles — Reagan Walsh/Tyler Garland, SMNW, def. Pultz-Earle/Czapinski, FS, 8-3.

No. 2 doubles — Nickel/Luinstra, FS, def. Mitts/Colin Anthony, SMNW, 8-2.

Free State 3, Olathe Northwest 1

No. 1 singles — Thompson Tong, ONW, def. Nickel, FS, 8-3.

No. 2 singles — Luinstra, FS, def. Anton Owen, ONW, 8-0.

No. 1 doubles — Pultz-Earle/Czapinski, FS, def. David Boschma/Tolou Gbile, ONW, 8-3.

No. 2 doubles — Ryan/Rasmussen, FS, def. Mat Firnhaber/Hunter Patterson, ONW, 8-2.