Fall sports are finally here, and that means that the boys tennis team is already practicing in full force for their first match of the season on August 29th. The 2019 team looks to build off of the success from a runner up finish in 2018 at the state tournament in Omaha.  

When I asked varsity head coach Chris Stock about last season’s success, he was very enthusiastic. “Last season was an amazing experience for our team. The success of finishing runner’s up at state last year has already been a great momentum builder for the program in the off season.” Stock also said that during the offseason lots of guys were very committed all offseason to training hard by competing in tournaments and working on improving serves. 

Now that the season has begun, I asked Coach Stock about how practices have been progressing. “The first couple weeks of practice could not have gone any better. The team is very coachable, they come ready to work very hard each day.” But Stock states that the best part of the first couple weeks of practice is how everyone’s enjoying the process of building the team. While the egos are checked at the door, the team is starting to become more of a brotherhood, which Stock credits the veteran leadership for establishing. 

As for the expectations for this season, that isn’t a huge concern for the team. “Anything beyond the next practice isn’t really something we think about or talk about. If we get a little better each day, then we are being successful.”

Lastly, I asked Stock about some of the younger guys on the team, along with what he hopes for them this season, as well as the future. “We have two freshman, and two sophomores that are new to varsity tennis this season. I am excited for them to come in to a team full of veteran leadership and to learn what it takes to become a united team that truly supports one another,” stated Coach Stock. As for the future, he hopes that they will demonstrate the same veteran leadership that the current upperclassmen are displaying right now. 

East will look to build off of last years success beginning on August 29th against Westside. With an even mix of seniors, along with young talent, the immediate future looks to be bright for the Spartans. They hope to build on the winning ways of last year and make the jump to a state championship this season.