Logger tennis in rebuilding year
Coach Kyle Hannah runs through forehand and backhand techniques with Libby high school students, Wednesday at the local tennis courts.
Coach Kyle Hannah runs through forehand and backhand techniques with Libby high school students, Wednesday at the local tennis courts.
Libby High School students practice tennis outside in the afternoon sun, Wednesday at the local tennis courts.
Trey Thompson, left, practices hitting forehand while getting advice from his Libby Head Coach Kyle Hannah, Wednesday. (Luke Hollister/The Western News)
Heading into their first matches at Polson Friday, the Libby High School tennis team hasn’t had much time on the court yet.
Still, Libby Head Coach Kyle Hannah said that -- even with only ten practice opportunities total so far this year -- five boys and 13 girls will have the necessary ten practices that the Montana High School Association requires for participation.
“And we’re going to take ‘em all,” Hannah said.
Ten boys and 18 girls came out for Tennis this year, but Hannah said that some of the Loggers weren’t able to make all of the practices due to other extracurriculars.
Once again the Loggers are stronger on the girls side than the boys. Hannah said that wasn’t helped by losing two top varsity boys who moved away.
“As far as the school, there’s not very many boys participating in all three sports, unfortunately, which is sad,” Hannah said.
Yet, Hannah is happy with the players he does have. Just the effort they put into clearing snow from the courts bodes well for how hard Libby’s tennis players are willing to work, he said.
Only six of Libby’s 28 players are either seniors or juniors. The sophomore class alone is contributing 16 players to the team.
Having that young team to potentially build on and work with for the next three years is an exciting opportunity, he said.
And with those younger players, Hannah spoke highly of the teams five freshman players.
Though all of them are pretty much new to tennis, he said there are a couple freshmen he could see pushing for varsity spots.
The majority of the freshmen are also staying after practice to work on their games, he said.
“They’re eager to learn and wanting to do well -- that’s exciting,” Hannah said.
The team also has some strength in its returning players, he said.
Seniors Marissa Wood and Jessika Jones made it to state in doubles last season.
“They’re coming back, and they both are just ready to go,” he said. “They’re both practicing hard, and they’re great team leaders.”
On the boys side, Hannah said that senior Zach Carter is going to be setting the example for the younger players.
“I’m looking forward for him to finally get his moment to shine, because he’s going to be the leader of that boys team,” Hannah said.
And those upperclassmen are going to be setting an example for younger players who are eager to learn.
“They’re ready to practice, they want to learn, they’re not screwing around -- as a coach, it’s a dream team,” Hannah said.
Going into Polson, Hannah said that the team hasn’t had a chance establish an order yet. But, coming back to practice next week, he hopes to get that figured out.
“Hopefully, next week, I’ll get my varsity ladder established, and then we’ll know who our top players will be, by playing each other,” he said.
Libby plays at Polson starting at 9 a.m. today. They are scheduled to face Hamilton at Polson at 11 a.m. Their first home matches are scheduled for Friday, April 5, when they face Ronan, starting at 3 p.m.