Logger tennis looks to build on youth

The rebuilding process begins this season for Libby Logger tennis. After graduating 18 seniors, the Loggers carry three seniors and zero juniors on a 24-student roster.

“We are an extremely young team with a number of athletic kids excited to develop as tennis players,” Libby Coach Kyle Hannah said. “Losing so many seniors we knew numbers would be down, but it is exciting having a good number of younger kids.”

Senior Jason Schnackenberg will lead the Loggers as the top boys singles player after earning a trip to last year’s state tournament. Sophomore Kaylene Hudson will open the season as the Loggers’ top girls singles player. Schnackenberg and Hudson will each serve as captains of their respective teams. Melanie Thomas, who is slated as the No. 2 girls singles player, and Adam Kirschenmann are the teams’ only other seniors.

“Our biggest expectation is to get better daily,” Hannah said. “It’s not about wins and losses this year. It is about getting experience and improving each match. The kids filled out their goals for the season and many of them say, ‘Win a few varsity matches.’”

The team welcomes seven freshmen into the fold after sending four boys to last year’s state tournament. It may not be this season, but precedent suggests a few years of hard work could send a few of the new faces to big places.

The Loggers start the season with a Saturday duel in Polson. The Loggers take on Polson at 9 a.m. and take on Hamilton at noon.

“The Polson boys won the state team title last season,” Hannah said. “They also had two boys who finished second and sixth in the state single’s tournament. They’re a strong opponent.”