Young tennis team improved in 2008
June 13th, 2008 by Derek Hagen
The Altoona boys’ tennis program made a big step forward in its second season of existence this spring, posting a .500 record and sending a player – Fabricio Solis – to the individual state tournament for the first time.
Coach Greg Emerson said he was pleased with the improvement the program has showed over its short existence.
“We had a 4-4 season after going 1-8 last year, took eighth out of 18 at sectionals after tying for last last year, and made our first individual state appearance in the second year of the program,” said Emerson.
That record includes a solid showing in the team’s first year as a member of the Middle Border Conference, placing fifth, one point out of fourth place.
Emerson also said that the program looks to only get better in the future.
“We had 17 kids last year and 21 this year, with a bunch of middle school kids coming up,” he said. “We had five freshmen letter this year, and next year we’ll only have one senior, so it will be a young and talented group.”
Part of the program’s success, according to Emerson, was due to the effort put in by both the players and the staff of volunteer coaches.
“We did a lot of morning practices, which were new this year, but they went over well,” he said. “And it was nice having four volunteer coaches this year. That way kids were able to excel quicker.”
The program started last year after the school board approved an unfunded two-year trial that included volunteer-only coaches and relied on the team funding its own transportation. A decision from the school board on the program’s future is expected over the summer.
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The Altoona boys’ tennis team split with Baldwin-Woodville and Ellsworth at a triangular meet in Baldwin on Saturday, May 3.
