MVP, Player of the Year and all-Missota Conference
The Tigers managed but one dual meet victory this spring but veteran coach Jack Olwell said his young team took a step in the right direction over the course of the 2011 season.
"We had a good year," he said, "one in which most players showed great improvement. They demonstrated the competitive fire needed to succeed and they will be playing a lot this summer."
Olwell and his staff awarded varsity letters to 13 players at the team's post-season banquet, including senior Peter Folz; juniors Ben Cline, Blake Olmscheid, Tyler Olson and Jeff Zakoksi; sophomores Christopher Kirchmann, Austin Rau and Colton Sanders and freshmen Trent Kortemnbusch, Ivan Rodriguez, Austin Tremel, Brian Waldbillig and Jon Zakoski.
Olwell also noted the improved play of several non-letterwinners, especially that of Josh Botawright.
Cline, who manned the No. 1 singles position, won the team's Most Valuable Player and Player of the Year awards and also landed a spot on the all-Missota Conference squad.
Olmacheid received all-conference honorable mention and also won the Tiger Award for leadership and spirit. Walbillig took home Rookie of the Year honors.
" I thought we would have won a few more matches," Olwell said. "Had we been at full strength all year we would have. But we played competitively and have built a strong base for the future."
With only Folz lost to graduation, the Tiger coach said the future looks bright for his program.
"We should be stronger in every aspect next year," he said. "Greater numbers, more depth and improved talent. I'm looking forward to seeing our development."
Olwell said that Folz and Seth Roberts, who left the team during the season with an injury, will definitely be missed.
"It's hard to imagine the team without those two," he said. "They will be impossible to replace...They are both excellent players and I hope their love for the game continues to grow."
