GREENVILLE – The Greenville Senior High School boys tennis staff seems to mix youth with a sprinkling of letter winners for the 2021 season.
Greenville varsity boys tennis coach, Dennis Kiser enters his thirty first season on the helm fielding a staff numbering 14 gamers – simply sufficient to subject each a full varsity and junior varsity squad with GHS simply one in all 4 MVL groups capable of equal the numbers.
“We have 14 this yr which is nearly the bottom I’ve ever had – it’s a low group however there are 20 junior excessive youngsters on the market,” stated Kiser. “At least 12 are boys so hopefully the numbers will enhance beginning subsequent yr – 14 just isn’t a nasty quantity.”
Missing from the 2021 staff are three excellent GHS boys tennis gamers with 11 letters between them attributable to commencement whereas lacking their total senior season to COVID.
“I’m lacking three superior seniors that didn’t get an opportunity to play final yr – Branson Leigeber, Joss Galloway and Eric Price,” Kiser famous. “They had labored so arduous over the offseason and had been going to be a particular staff final yr. I miss these guys lots nevertheless it’s time to maneuver on with this group. We don’t have close to the expertise that we’d have had final yr however we’re working at it.”
Returning letter winners embody; seniors Jiahao Zhang and Heath Coomer each taking part in their third yr of varsity.
“They are our leaders,” Kiser stated of his seniors. “Those two have a number of expertise.”
Juniors, Jack Marchal and Andrew Abell are anticipated to earn their third varsity letter this season.
“Jack Marchal was our first singles as a freshman and as of proper now he’s nonetheless first singles,” Kiser stated. “He and Jiahao Zhang had a pleasant battle out right here. Andrew Abel will most likely accomplice with Heath Coomer at first doubles however these 4 have all our expertise. Nobody else out right here has any varsity expertise in any respect.”
“I’ve 5 which can be competing for the opposite three varsity spots,” Kiser added. “I informed them I’m you 5 guys. Three of you must play varsity in some unspecified time in the future and also you all get your likelihood, however I’m wanting for guys that may hold the ball in play.”
Seniors Ash Williams and Logan Witwer are anticipated to see varsity taking part in time heading into the brand new season. “Both nice youngsters,” stated Kiser.
“This is Ash Williams fourth yr at tennis,” Kiser said. “He goes to get some varsity time. He has been a fantastic chief. I can depend on him to get stuff performed if I would like stuff performed … Ash will get it performed.”
Coach Kiser might be trying to two juniors to be within the combine for varsity spots on the courtroom.
“I’ve two juniors which can be going to be pushing these guys,” stated Kiser. “Grant Read will most likely change forwards and backwards between singles and doubles. He will certainly get some varsity taking part in time together with Max Jordan. Max may be very constant at holding the ball in play.”
Sophomore, Mason Middlestetter, performed first singles for the Green Wave junior excessive staff as an eighth grader joins the combo wanting for varsity time.
“Mason has some expertise however we didn’t have something final yr for him so he missed the entire yr apart from taking part in along with his dad out right here in the summertime,” Kiser stated. “He’ll get some taking part in time additionally at singles or doubles.”
The program has two juniors becoming a member of for the primary time, Cole Saylor and Ethan Palmer together with returning junior, Leo Williams, brother of Ash Williams. Two freshmen, Will Gettinger and Simon Snyder spherical out the 2021 Wave highschool boys tennis program.
“I’ve two freshmen which can be actually going to be one thing,” stated Kiser. “I’m actually enthusiastic about these two.”
Coach Kiser believes his staff as the chance to compete nicely within the Miami Valley League (MVL) whereas constructing for the longer term.
“Troy and Tipp City are loaded,” Kiser stated. “They might be competing for one and two no query. After that it’s huge open. I anticipate us to be preventing in there for quantity three. Butler and Sidney has been first rate, Piqua is enhancing so that you by no means know. We are going to attempt to be league champs however being practical and understanding what the opposite groups have coming again – Troy and Tipp are fairly stable.”
“There have been years the place we have now competed with them,” added Kiser. “This yr we’re going to battle arduous and we should battle actually arduous if we anticipate a league championship however we are going to see – that’s why you play.”
Brian Reifsnider joins the boys program as assistant highschool coach whereas Suzie Brown strikes from assistant varsity to go up the junior excessive boys program.
“Suzie has been my assistant the final couple of years,” defined Kiser. “She was nice with me however she’s actually good with these younger youngsters and Jim Koontz helps her. They have 20 youngsters down there and she or he does a fantastic job.”
“I’ve been after Brian for years,” Kiser said. “He retired from his job so now he has time to be our assistant coach.”
“Great youngsters – going to be a enjoyable yr,” Coach Kiser concluded.
Andrew Abell will get a exercise at follow for the Green Wave boys tennis staff.
First yr varsity assistant boys tennis coach, Brian Reifsnider watches the Greenville JV squad exercise.
GHS head highschool boys tennis coach, Dennis Kiser enters his thirty first season on the helm of the boys tennis program.
Green Wave senior, Heath Coomer practices with staff for upcoming OHSAA tennis season.
Greenville junior, Jack Marchal is penciled in to begin the season at first singles for the Wave varsity boys tennis staff.
Senior, Jiahao Zhang seems to assist Greenville to a successful MVL varsity boys tennis season.
Contact Darke County Media Sports Editor Gaylen Blosser at gblosser@aimmediamidwest.com or 937-569-0122
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