By KEVIN HARRIS
Kevin.Harris@newsandtribune.com
> SOUTHERN INDIANA —
If there is one word to define the Floyd Central boys’ tennis team, it is winning.
And there is no one in the program that wants to win more than its veteran coach, Rick Miller, and he lets his players know that.
“When they’re around me, they know I want to win everything,” Miller said. “If I played them at checkers, I want to win. It doesn’t matter what game it is.”
Last year at the Silver Creek Regional, the Highlanders had to swallow their pride as they lost in the semifinals to the host Dragons, 5-0. The setback ended Floyd’s regional championship streak at six titles.
But Miller says that loss has not dampened his players’ enthusiasm about winning.
“I think these kids want to win — I don’t care if it’s in the regional or something else,” Miller said. “They want to win in practice. They want to win in the conference.”
Miller’s top two singles players will be the foundation of his squad. Junior Jarrett Oldham is expected to be the No. 1 singles player, while senior Ryan Smith will probably be the No. 2 singles player.
Miller also welcomes back several players with some experience. They are seniors Reed Emerson and Dillon Evanczyk, junior Trevor Schultze and sophomores Justin Batliner, Drew Hussung and Alex Martin.
Three freshmen have a chance to crack the Floyd lineup. Andrew Nguyen could see some time at singles, while Ryan Plunkett and Jack Stoner provide some depth for the Highlanders.
“I think they all know that we’re not going to be one of those teams that’s going to be a power team,” Miller said. “Everybody has to contribute. If we win, it’s going to be 3-2. It’s going to be tough to win 5-0 against a really good team. We’re going to have to play to our potential every time we play.
“It’s going to be a tough time for us, but I think they’re going to build on it. Hopefully by the end of the year, we’re playing our best tennis. That’s what I look forward to. I don’t mind going 6-6 in the season and then go to the Final Four. That’s what I look forward to.”
Miller says there are several areas the Highlanders must improve in if they are going to regain the regional title.
“Everybody needs more experience,” Miller said. “Our second serve and our returning serve are two things we need to improve on. It seems once we get the point started, we’re as good as anybody. But they don’t have a clue what I’m talking about when you have to get that second serve in. If you double fault, you don’t have a chance to win the point. You’ve got to serve well and return well.”
Miller expects his troops to compete with defending regional champion Jeffersonville for the Hoosier Hills Conference Tournament title this season. The Highlanders also will play a loaded nonconference schedule, which includes Indianapolis Cathedral, Brebeuf Jesuit, Carmel, Zionsville and Bloomington South.
BOYS’ TENNIS PREVIEW CAPSULES
COMPILED BY KEVIN HARRIS
FLOYD CENTRAL
• COACH: Rick Miller
• RETURNING PLAYERS: Jarrett Oldham, Jr.; Ryan Smith, Sr.; Justin Batliner, So.; Drew Hussung, So.; Reed Emerson, Sr.; Dillon Evanczyk, Jr.; Alex Martin, So.; Trevor Schultze, Jr.
• NEWCOMERS: Andrew Nguyen, Fr.; Ryan Plunkett, Fr.; Jack Stoner, Fr.
• TOUGH OPPONENTS: Jeffersonville, Indianapolis Cathedral, Brebeuf Jesuit, Carmel, Zionsville, Bloomington South
• OUTLOOK: Miller thinks his players need more experience and must improve on their second serve and returning serves. He hopes Floyd will be a solid team by the time the postseason comes. Like in past years, the Highlanders face a tough nonconference schedule that should prepare them for the postseason.
• MILLER SAYS: “I don’t mind going 6-6 in the season and then go to the Final Four. That’s what I look forward to.”
NEW ALBANY
• COACH: Bob Dusch
• RETURNING PLAYERS: Alex Stewart, Jr.; Christian Meyer, Sr.; Luke Garmon, Jr.; Robbie Erskine, Sr.; Chris Thomas, Jr.; Kyle Landrum, So.
• NEWCOMERS: None.
• TOUGH OPPONENTS: Floyd Central, Jennings County, Jeffersonville, Silver Creek.
• OUTLOOK: Dusch says his team will be solid at No. 1 singles with Stewart and both doubles spots. He is looking for players to step up and be competitive at Nos. 2 and 3 singles. Stewart has played at No. 1 singles since his freshman year, and Meyer and Garmon should continue to be a strong No. 1 doubles team for the Bulldogs.
• DUSCH SAYS: “We’ll be competitive at those spots (No. 1 singles, Nos. 1 and 2 doubles). It’s just a matter of getting kids into the other singles spots.”
PROVIDENCE
• COACH: Scott Gurgol
• RETURNING PLAYERS: Nick Finn, Sr.; Pete Andres, Jr.; Brenden Popson, Jr.; Daniel Becht, Jr.; Joe Solis, Jr.; Andrew Jerdonek, Jr.; Derek Benebig, So.; Weston Spalding, So.
• NEWCOMERS: Nolan Carrico, Fr.
• TOUGH OPPONENTS: Jeffersonville, Columbus North, Silver Creek, New Albany.
• OUTLOOK: It is the most-inexperienced team in Gurgol’s four years as the Pioneers’ head coach. Andres will be Providence’s No. 1 singles player, but it is up in the air which players will fill the other spots in the lineup. Gurgol says he will have a better idea of a lineup after Thursday’s scrimmage with Bedford North Lawrence. The Pioneers’ main goal is to win three of their four regular-season tournaments. Those three tourneys are the New Albany Invitational, the Mt. Vernon Invitational and the Columbus East Invitational.
• GURGOL SAYS: “This is significantly the youngest team I’ve ever had. We’d like to end the season with a winning record. We have the players who can get on the all-district team, so another goal is get one player to earn all-district.”
• NOTE: Christian Academy of Indiana will not field a boys’ tennis team this season.
