After only losing two seniors, neither of which were on Varsity Gold last year, this year’s Varsity boys tennis team is looking forward to a very successful season full of wins and hopefully medals in GACs and State at the end of the year, according to players and sole coach Kate Kleiber.

“Since I only lost two seniors last year and one of them was on JV and the other was a Silver Varsity player, it stacks up to be a better season than last year because we have a lot of returning, experienced talent,” Kate Kleiber, the boy’s coach and girl’s tennis coach, said.

Kleiber estimates that the team overall will probably consist of about 28-30 players; Varsity Gold will consist of six. Varsity Silver and Gold both compete in GACs and earn points for the team.

“I look forward to a good season,” Kleiber said, “and I always enjoy the players. They are very responsible and polite gentlemen.”

The tennis team is a no-cut sport, so anyone who wants to try out is automatically on the team. The tryouts are basically just workouts and help determine who will be on Varsity. This year, as with most of the spring sports, tryouts have been inside due to weather.

“This is a no-cut sport so I accept anyone who wants to play and have fun and enjoy tennis,” Kleiber, who will have coached the North boys for 2 years, said.

Kleiber is especially focusing on conditioning because once the boys get outside, they are going to want to do things with the racket most of the time.

“I really feel like, and I don’t think the boys understand, that the conditioning is the best thing that can happen to them,” Kleiber said. “Agility, balance, core strength- this is the stuff they want to do inside.”

There are six returning Gold Varsity players this season, but Kleiber is going to put the best six on Gold. She believes that “anyone can beat anyone at anytime.” There are a few new players, including two new seniors and the freshmen, that Kleiber has yet to see play.

“I’m sure that there’s some raw talent out there,” Kleiber said. “Some of it may need a little work and some of it will be God-given talent and will explode to greatness in time. If you don’t play from June to February there will be someone out there who says ‘Hey, I want to play.’ You can do it if you’re dedicated If you have athletic ability, you can do it.”

 Many of the players are excited to get the season started and have high goals set for this upcoming season.

“Honestly, it’s exciting just getting to play tennis every day,” junior Chris Cattron said. “I’m excited to play tennis and hang out with the guys on the team.”

Senior Nick Cole, who has played Varsity every year for North, is hoping that the team wins Districts and can medal in State. Cattron, Cole, and Kleiber all agree that the season is looking hopeful. The first match will take place on March 20.

“I think we are going to work a lot harder this year,” two-year Varsity player Cattron said. “I think everyone already has connections with each other and we will be more energized in games and be better. I think a lot of our guys are much more dedicated than from previous seasons.”