Ark Valley News - Tennis a mixture of experience and youth

Tennis a mixture of experience and youth
By Randy Fisher
Last Updated: August 28, 2015

If you ask coach Dean Schulz to describe his outlook on the upcoming girls tennis season, his response might sound like a 'tweener — somewhere between rebuilding and reloading.

"I think it's going to be kind of a reorganizing year," he said. "I'm excited for the season. It's one of the few times where we've got experience back but also a lot of promise for younger players."

The Hornets welcomed 25 players this fall. That number includes sophomore Rachel Binau, half of a 2014 doubles team with then-senior Jill Seidl, Valley's only state qualifier last year.

Seniors Carly Espinosa, Chloe McNiel and Courtney Sayers should contribute even more this season. Toss in sophomore Jacque Toews and newcomer Jessica Sharp, and you have the experience and youth Schulz mentioned.

Right now, No. 1 doubles looks set with Binau and the freshman Sharp.

"She (Sharp) and Rachel practiced together a lot over the summer, so I think that'll be our doubles," Schulz said.

Binau looks for last year's state tournament to help her confidence this season.

"I have more experience than I did last year," Binau said. "I know with a new partner, we can hopefully grow more than me and Jill had the chance to."

No. 2 doubles should have a familiar look.

"Courtney Sayers played varsity with Jacque Toews," Schulz said. "They'll probably come back as a doubles team."

Sayers doesn't lack for enthusiasm on her last go-round.

"I am very excited for this year," she said. "Since it's my senior year, I'm going to make it better than all the other years. I am going for state this year."

Valley's other two seniors could reprise their roles from last year.

"Carly and Chloe both played singles last year," Schulz said. "It just depends on where they are, compared with some of the younger players, and how much they played over the summer and got better."

Schulz is pleased with the consistency he's seen thus far.

"We just started challenge matches yesterday (Aug. 18)," he said. "Most of the matches fell the way we thought they would, but they were close matches."

In addition to these six players, Schulz mentioned several others who could play varsity or upper junior varsity. Juniors Elle Kabler and Abby Sheahan have both improved over the summer. Freshman Kara Harden shows promise and could contend for varsity time. Sophomore Victoria Bishop played a lot of varsity and could again this season. Junior Abby Musgrove and sophomore Madison Isham, both of whom played mostly JV, may be paired in doubles.

Sayers believes the seniors can be role models by inspiring the younger players to achieve their goals.

"You may start out on JV or even novice, but that should never stop you from reaching varsity or reaching your goals," she said. "Never let the thought of where you are placed determine who you are as a player."

Back for his 21st year as an assistant is Matt Klusener. Schulz has been coaching girls tennis for so many years at Valley Center that even he isn't sure how long.

"I think, if I've calculated right, this is season 33," he said with a smile.

As expected, the players are optimistic.

"I think we'll do pretty good," Binau said. "Hopefully we'll get more to state this year because we have some experience and some good talent coming up."

Her coach believes the season may take awhile to unfold as players learn their roles.

"We may struggle a little bit early in the season," Schulz said. "Just getting where everybody fits teamwise will eventually work itself out to where by the middle to the late season, we'll be ready to go."