Loggers' tennis looking to go out on top
The Libby High School tennis team has one last chance, at least in the near future, to earn a Class A conference title. After this year, the athletic programs will step down a class and there’s nothing like going out on top.
In order to make that happen, 10-year head tennis coach Kyle Hannah said the team will most likely need to beat conference foe Polson. The team won’t have to wait long to see how they measure up against the Pirates as their first match is scheduled for March 24 at the south end of Flathead Lake.
“I think this is our year to have a real shot at them,” Hannah said. “We’re going to give them a run for their money, now is the time to do it.”
Underclassmen dominate the tennis team, with only two seniors on the 31-player roster. The varsity squad is evenly balanced with 10 boys and girls players, 17 of which are returning from last year.
“It’s a great number of kids. A lot of them want to come out and participate and learn the game of tennis. There are some kids out here that just want to learn and there are kids out here that want to compete. I take both with open arms,” Hannah said.
One of the players looking to compete this year for the Loggers is sophomore Cody Wood. Last year Wood and his cousin Jason Schnackenberg took sixth in doubles at the state tournament.
This year Wood will be competing in singles with an improved forehand stroke. “He switched this summer to a more experienced forehand with some top spin and he really likes it. So he’s moving to a more experienced forehand,” Hannah said.
Terry Oedewaldt is the other half of the tennis team’s coaching duo, for that Hannah is very thankful. “Coach Oedewaldt does a lot of the summer programs and open gyms when I’m coaching other sports and without him our program wouldn’t be where it is.”
Also helping coach the team are volunteer coaches Carol Oedewaldt and former head tennis coach Dave Nelson. Nelson’s been a volunteer coach since Hannah took over the head position.
“I enjoy working with teenagers, which is unusual. I love tennis and I love to help these kids learn a sport they can play all of their life, so I think it’s worth putting my time into,” Nelson said. “Tennis is not an easy sport. So you have to keep the kids pumped up, keep them encouraged and get them in shape.”
Great tennis weather graced Libby for the team’s first week of practice, allowing the players to get their arms and legs loosened up. “It’s mostly just stroke technique, getting your eyes and footwork together,” Hannah said. “Even with my best players, we go through the same fundamentals as my players who have never touched a racket.”
Hannah’s number one goal for the season is to have fun and teach the life-long sport of tennis. “Of course we expect a lot more from our varsity players. We also have the goal to make it to state and end up on top. So it’s just one match at a time,” Hannah said. “The kids are excited and I’ve got a lot of good athletes out. It’s going to be fun.”