Cv, U-Hi Coaches Hope To Spark Teams
GSL boys tennis
Getting the excitement back into boys tennis is a goal of both Patty Aunan at Central Valley and new coach Mark Hein at University.
The Bears, who have been a title contender under Aunan in years past, were 4-4 in league last year. The Titans were 2-6.
But even though CV brings back half a dozen players from last year, Aunan isn’t sure how her team will do.
“It could be an ugly season,” said Aunan, who said she could win league if two foreign exchange students were eligible to compete on varsity.
U-Hi returns four players and is starting over with a new coach. “Hopefully,” said Hein, “I can create feelings that it’s fun and an environment that’s serious about the program.”
Between them, the two schools have a turnout of just 26 players.
Mead and Lewis and Clark are Greater Spokane League favorites.
Regional veteran leads Bears
Half of a doubles team that just missed qualifying for state returns to lead Central Valley.
Brad Heaton teamed with graduated Chris Trefry to reach the consolation semifinals during last year’s regional meet.
He’ll be number one player on a team that returns seniors Chris Arger and Greg Schlatter, and juniors Bryce Boltjes, Sam Abrams and Lance Bastian. Newcomers to the team are juniors Tim Tebbe, a transfer, Rick Gorka, John Knuth and sophomore Jeff Priebe.
Titans just want to have fun
With such a small turnout - 10 play in varsity matches - University’s tennis team will get plenty of playing time.
Included are number one singles player Ryan Erwart, senior Bryce Brewer, and juniors Jarred McDaniel and Brandon Curryer.
Newcomers will be doubles players, senior Scott Klep, juniors Jim Giesen, Matt Hollenbach, Eric Ehrhardt and sophomores Austin Sauer, Andy Burningham and John La.
Hein, who assists in basketball and soccer at U-Hi, has previous tennis coaching experience at Horizon Junior High.
“I’m trying to have the guys have fun, get better and hopefully get more kids involved,” he said of his new job.
Gonzaga figures to contend
Gonzaga Prep’s boys tennis coach Sid Wang has seen enough to predict his team will complicate the GSL tennis standings.
Sure, Mead and LC, last year’s champion and runner-up are favorites. But after losing just three players from their fourth-place team a season ago, don’t count the Bullpups out.
Adam Witt, just a freshman, is expected to challenge his junior brother, Luke, for the team’s top singles spot.
Sophomore Riggs Kubiak and senior Tom Pearson were numbers two and three singles last year. Seniors Tyler Ham, Mike Hachhuber, and junior Sean Power help round out the team’s doubles line-up.
, DataTimes