By BRAD BAUGHMAN, For The Democrat
“To say the Eagles are short-handed is an understatement,” according to Brown County High School boys tennis coach Kevin Roush.
In a high school sport that requires seven players to fill out the positions in the lineup, the Eagles were only able to muster five to start the season. Since then, the team has played a match or two with as few as three players in the lineup.
“In my entire 18 years of coaching Brown County tennis, I have to say that I have never faced a shortage of players. This is a first as far as I know for Brown County Boys Tennis,” Roush said.
In a recent WIC match with Owen Valley, Roush juggled his lineup around the best he could. Utilizing the four players available for the match, he was able to get the No.1 and No. 2 singles matches covered, as well as the No. 1 doubles match. That meant forfeiting No. 3 singles and No. 2 doubles. The Eagles dropped the match 5-0.
Roush and the Eagles may be down, but they are not out. “I know it looks bleak for our sport, but like all things, it runs in a cycle.
“I am very optimistic about our future as new players are taking up our game,” he said. The veteran coach said his biggest challenge “is just finding a competitive lineup each night, knowing our chances of winning are diminished, but not out of the realm of possibility.” In fact, the undermanned Eagle netters have notched a couple of wins already this season.
Roush said this year’s small squad is made up of juniors and sophomores. Returning letter winner Jack Sichting is getting most of his time in at No. 1 singles.
“He has taken on a new role within the team as our quiet leader, and his game has improved greatly,” Roush said. While most of Sichting’s opponents hit harder than he does, Roush said “his ability to continue to return shots and take advantage of the opportunities that are presented has won him a lot of games, which will lead to wins in matches.”
Other returning letter winners, Jon Kirchoffer and Brandon Saechao, “will be counted on to be flexible in their positions,” said Roush.
Story continues below gallery. Photos by Kevin Roush.
A newcomer to the team, Sawyer Gore, has not played tennis competitively before, but Roush said “his athletic ability and attitude make him a valuable asset to our team.”
Roush said that sophomores Owen East and Trevor Shields, who were doubles specialists as freshmen “have also worked hard on their games and are competing at a much higher level this season.” The duo will most likely find themselves in the singles line up some point this season.
While many of the matches will start with the Eagles surrendering a point or two before the first ball is ever served, Roush is not throwing in the towel. “I expect our players to compete in each and every match; we will not just mail it in,” he said.
He expects the group to represent themselves, the team, and the school honorably. “We will be leaders on the court, in the classroom, and wherever we are,” he promised.
The Eagles will make two trips to Edgewood High School this week, the first on Wednesday, Sept. 7, to take on West Vigo and then again on Thursday, Sept. 8, to battle Edgewood. A third road match is slated for Monday, Sept. 12, when the Eagles travel to Seymour to compete with Trinity Lutheran.
Roush is confident his players will compete to the best of their abilities.
“We have not let our current situation control our thinking, as it is not about wins and losses, but it is all about our attitude and continuous improvement,” he said.
