The Mingus Union High School boys tennis team is gearing up for another season, looking to improve upon its 1-13 record from a year ago.
But with half of the team comprised of new players, and the other half gone due to graduation, head coach Larry Lineberry has secondary goals in mind as well.
“My overriding goal is to make sure these kids learn the game properly so they can enjoy it their whole life,” Lineberry said.
At the team’s first practice of the season on Feb. 6, the 10 players worked on their serve. It’s one of the three main components a player needs to compete, according to Lineberry, and the most important.
In high school tennis, the top six players play singles matches and there are three doubles matches. From last year’s team, five returners will move up from the bottom six to the top six.
Senior Alex Flannery, one of team’s two upperclassman, will be the Marauders’ No. 1 player after being No. 3 last year.
With competition beginning Thursday Feb. 23, the Marauders have only a couple of weeks to prepare. Lineberry plans to bring a ball machine to the school, which will increase efficiency at practice where the players “can hit more balls in 25 minutes than they normally would all week.”
“Literally the kids improve daily at this stage,” Lineberry said.
During the coming weeks the team will have some intersquad matches to gain match experience before the Feb. 23 home opener against Moon Valley High School. The matches will also serve to determine the players’ placement for their competitive matches.
Sophomore returner Brigham Peterson has high hopes for this year.
“I believe we can do a lot better, especially if we work as hard as we did last year,” said Peterson, who has been playing outside of the high school season.
For the most part, the inexperienced team looks to enjoy itself this season.
“I’m just trying to get the most out of it,” Flannery said. “Ultimately I’m here to have a good time.”
The Marauders’ Feb. 23 match with Moon Valley is set to start at 3:30 p.m.
Flannery and 2016 graduate Jerry Hernandez reached the second round of the Arizona Interscholastic Association in doubles a year ago.
