By BRAD BAUGHMAN | For The Democrat
Coach Kevin Roush has just started his 17th season at the helm of the Brown County High School boys tennis program. While the veteran coach knows that no two seasons are ever alike, he believes the start to this season may be one of the strangest and toughest he has ever experienced.
First, the Eagles lost six seniors from last season’s squad, all varsity letter winners.
Second, of the three seniors on this season’s roster, only one has any extensive varsity experience.
Third, the small roster of nine has been hampered by eligibility issues and health concerns to start this 2021 season.
In three of their first four matches, the Eagles were unable to field a complete team and gave up a point before the match ever started. So, it is no surprise the team finds itself winless at this juncture of the season.
Roush is undeterred, however.
“Even with these challenges, Coach Thom Miller and I have found that this group has had the desire to get better and compete,” Roush said.
Roush said the player that best exemplifies this attitude is his senior leader and No. 1 singles player, Josh Miller, currently 2-2 for the season.
“Josh has taken on the role of team captain and, at times, junior assistant coach. His expectations of his teammates are simple: work hard, listen, learn and support your teammates. His work ethic and willingness to help his teammates is second to none. He leads by example and is starting to rub off on his younger teammates,” Roush said.
Despite the early season challenges, the Eagles have been shut out only once in a loss to Indian Creek. In the season-opening 2-3 loss to Martinsville, Brown County got wins from Miller and the No. 2 doubles team of freshman Owen East and sophomore John Kirchhofer. “This duo has a lot of potential, and we expect them to continue to improve,” Roush said.
The Eagles dropped another close one, losing to Hauser 2-3. Miller snared another win, as did the No. 2 doubles team. “Our No. 2 doubles team of East and freshman Trevor Shields had a good first set (6-4) and then really played a good second set and won 6-2,” Roush said.
In their most recent match, a 1-4 home loss to Northview, senior Eli Sichting, playing No. 3 singles, picked up the lone win in dramatic fashion. “He lost the first set 0-6, but came back strong in the second and won in a tie-break 7-6, which forced a third set tie-break that he won 12-10,” Roush said.
Senior Austen Deckard has been playing the No. 2 singles spot for the Eagles, while sophomores Wesley Bethards, Jack Sichting and Brandon Saechao are getting time at various spots in the Eagle lineup.
Roush is happy to have all nine of his players eligible and available and looks forward to seeing where they might best help the team.
“It is up to Coach Miller and me to now find the best possible lineup to give us a victory without losing sight of the future. We understand that we have limited varsity experience with our sophomores and freshmen, but they are getting valuable experience that will make them better in the future,” Roush said. “I feel that they are up to the challenge as long as we don’t get hung up on records but concentrate on getting better each match.”
Players come and go, and situations are ever-changing. Some things are often out of the coach’s control. Roush knows that well. He also knows that tennis, like all high school sports, is about more than winning games, winning sets, winning matches, and winning championships.
“It is seasons like this that make us realize how hard we have to work and live up to the expectations of being a part of the Brown County High School tennis program. I have to remember it is not the wins or losses that count; it is the character in which we act during each contest, in the classroom, and at home that are the hallmarks of a Brown County High School tennis player,” Roush said.
With that guiding principle in mind, a young, enthusiastic group of underclassmen, and “a special player” in senior captain Miller, the Eagles are ready to move ahead, unflinching, prepared for any adversity that may come their way.
