Ev, Wv Tennis Teams In Rebuilding Race
Frontier Boys tennis
When West Valley and East Valley met in a Frontier League boys tennis match Tuesday, it determined which team was rebuilding faster.
The defending champion Eagles graduated five of their top six players and have a new coach in Jim Ferrell.
EV is continuing a revamping that began last year.
“Roughly, we’re about in the second year of a rebuilding stage,” said Knight coach Don Krueger.
Ferrell, the former coach at Gonzaga University, is now teaching at Central Park Racquet Club.
“I knew last summer (WV) would come open and jumped on it,” said Ferrell. “It’s going to be an interesting year.”
Sophomore singles players return
West Valley brings back sophomores Keli Heidenson, whose dad Wally was the previous WV coach, and John Huckabay in singles.
“After that throw them in a hat,” said Ferrell of his lineup.
Junior Kyle Schiewe, senior Jade Taylor and sophomore Nick Fusare are others back from last year’s team.
Schiewe and sophomore Rob Mitchell are currently in the singles lineup.
The others are playing doubles along with sophomores Nick Grigajtis, Travis Millspaugh, Luke Gentry, Trevor Kienholz and freshman Jay Oakes.
“I’d be happy with three or four wins under our belt for confidence and have the players look forward to next year,” said Ferrell.
East Valley lineup young, too
Like West Valley, the Knights are young and have roughly the same amount of varsity playing time.
“All but two players return,” said Krueger. “A lot are getting experience under their belt.”
Junior Dennis Winters returns at number one singles and his older brother, Ben Winters, moves up to number two.
Junior lettermen Jeremy Frank and Loren Buchanan, or sophomore Jayson Pho round out the singles positions.
Doubles teams come from sophomores Reed Wright, Travis Brantley, juniors Levi Mattoon, freshmen John Kirsch and Jay Bemis.
Others vying for spots are juniors Nick Scoman and Matt Jones and freshman James Simons.
“They have a lot of talent and energy,” said Krueger of his team. “Our first two matches with West Valley and Riverside will tell the tale.”
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo