MVP and All-Missota Conference in 2011
Lack of experience should not be a problem for the 2012 edition of Tiger boys' tennis with coach Jack Olwell looking at the possibility of filling out a lineup card with all returning lettermen.
"We have a lot of guys back from last year and several have had great off-seasons," Olwell said. "Our singles lineup remains pretty much in tact and we have good experience in all three double flights, too."
Seniors Ben Cline and Blake Olmscheid should man the top two singles positions. Cline was an all-Missota Conference performer and team MVP in 2011. Olmscheid received all-conference honorable mention last spring and won the Tiger Award for leadership and spirit.
"Ben and Blake represent the strongest one-two combination we've had in many years," Olwell said.
Olwell said the leading candidates for the other two singles slots are three other letterwinners: senior Tyler Olson and sophomores Ivan Rodriguez and Austin Tremmel.
Junior Christopher Kirchmann returns to fill half of the No. 1 doubles team that could find him paired with Olson or senior Jeff Zakoskie. Other likely doubles canddiates include juniors Austin Rau and Colton Sanders and sophomore Jon Zakoskie, all letter winners last season.
"This is the strongest we have been in several years so we are looking for marked improvement," Olwell said. "The question will be how much our opponents have improved."
Olwell said the always-tough Missota Conference will provide plenty of competition with Shakopee, Red Wing, Chaska and Holy Angels also returning strong squads. Rochester Mayo, Rochester Cetury and Red Wing are all expected to be in the hunt for Section 1 honors.
Veterans Jon Malin and Joe "Doc" Emond return as varsity assistants this spring with Brian Engebretson slated to handle the middle school coaching chores.
The Tigers open the season Thursday, Apr. 5, with a non-conferene dual meet at Lakeville South.
