Depth Key for Hornets Tennis Team

The Saline Hornets boys’ tennis team had a good season in 2010. They only lost in match play to Pioneer and Huron, but failed to make the state matches. This year, the team hopes to do better than good. They want to be great.

“We’ve got some good guys this year. We haven’t made states while I’ve been on the team; it’s our ultimate goal, something we all want,” said co-captain David Zick.

Zick is one of five seniors, all of whom are captains for the Hornets. Karl Winsor, Matthew Geiger, Spencer Kennedy and Donovan Main, along with Zick, will help lead the team. Each captain has a domain that they will watch over during the season, helping the underclassmen improve and grow.

“All the seniors are good guys. They all contribute and play tough every match. I expect good leadership from them during the year,” said head coach Andrew BeDell.

During matches, the captains will continue to help their teammates, both with encouragement and some tips and strategy. They also emphasize that players waiting before or after their own match should be cheering on their teammates that are playing.

“A couple good encouraging words both before and after a match, regardless of the result, really helps people stay confident,” said Winsor.

Singles play will be led by junior Blake Ahadi, returning to the team after a strong sophomore campaign. Zick and Winsor join Ahadi along with junior Will Heider to round out the singles players. Kennedy and Main will head the doubles teams, along with Geiger and sophomore Sham Shah. The third and fourth doubles teams are still in a state of flux, with competition between six players for four spots.

“We’ve got some strong double teams with good senior leadership.  Three and four doubles are still being worked out; there are six guys, but they’re all very good,” said BeDell.

Here is the schedule for the 2011 varsity team:

Date

Time

Opponent

Aug. 20

8 a.m.

@ Ann Arbor Pioneer Invite

Aug. 22

4:30 p.m.

Dexter

Aug. 24

4:30 p.m.

@ Pioneer

Aug. 25

8 a.m.

@ Northville Quad

Aug. 27

8 a.m.

@ AAH Invite

Aug. 29

4:30 p.m.

Bedford

Aug. 30

8:30 a.m.

@ Troy Quad

Aug. 31

4:30 p.m.

Monroe

Sept. 7

4:30 p.m.

@ Huron

Sept. 10

8 a.m.

Hornet Classic Invite

Sept 14

4:30 p.m.

Skyline

Sept. 19

4:30 p.m.

Monroe

Sept. 21

4:30 p.m.

@ Chelsea

Sept. 27

4 p.m.

@ Detroit Catholic Central

Sept. 28

TBA

@ SEC Invite @ AAP

Oct. 1

8 p.m.

@ Ann Arbor Pioneer Invite