This is a printer friendly version of an article from the Wisconsin Rapids Daily Tribune. Posted with the permission.
Back to WRACS

April 22, 2009

Tennis preview: Seniors key for Assumption

By Paul Lecker
Daily Tribune Staff

Assumption boys tennis coach Gail Lundberg said she sees this season as a learning year for a largely inexperienced group of Royals.

The first week of the season was a perfect example.

The Royals lost a dual match to Stevens Point Pacelli 6-1, a team Lundberg said she had not lost to over the past four years.

Assumption went into the Evergreen Invitational last Saturday and finished in second place out of six teams, ending up ahead of Division 1 teams D.C. Everest and Lakeland, and Division 2 Medford.

"It was a fabulous effort to rebound like that," Lundberg said. "Everyone contributed to that second-place finish."

Senior captain Matt Davis returns at No. 1 singles for Assumption, as do four other seniors -- Joe Klinkhammer, Jared Sigler, Noah Trickey and Jon Brux. Junior Damon Gutsch and sophomore Matt Roenius are also back on the varsity.

After that, the Royals will rely on three seniors playing their first year of varsity tennis. Players from a group of four sophomores and three freshmen will be counted on to round out the day-to-day lineup.

Lundberg said Sam Hokamp and Brandon Fish, two of the first-year seniors, are entrenched at No. 3 doubles. Matt Turba, another first-year senior, has earned a spot at No. 2 or No. 3 singles.

"He's only played recreational tennis, but he is instinctive on the court and improving all the time," Lundberg said of Turba.

Roenius has worked his way onto the No. 2 doubles team, with one of the other returning seniors likely joining him.

Gutsch will likely play at one of the other singles spots, possibly with Brux.

"It's going to be a learning year," Lundberg said. "The returning players are healthy.

"I never stop being impressed with their talents. They pay attention during practice and are improving steadily."