Youth will be served again this year when the Lyle/Austin Pacelli boys team takes to the court.
L/P has just one senior and no juniors returning from a squad that was 2-6 a year ago. But the Athletics do have seven of their top 10 players returning from last year's young team.
"We're not going to tear things up, but four wins is a possibility," second-year coach Brian Davis said. Davis also feels more comfortable running the team this season.
"This year I'm going with more discipline," he said. "Last year I kind of let the seniors run the show, but now I'm in charge."
Senior Aaron Rieker returns at singles and is expected to be in the No. 3 slot. Eighth-grader Dolan Wagner is expected to play No. 1 singles after tolling at the three spot last year. Sophomore Steve Porter will play No. 2 singles. Wagner is expected to attend Austin High next year.
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Sophomore Nic Anderson, a returning letterwinner, and freshman Nate Lyons are challenging for the No. 4 singles spot.
The doubles lineup will be loaded with young players. Wagner was one of three seventh-graders in the lineup a year ago, but Davis said the policy was not to award them letters. This year eighth-graders Brandon Walter and Brandon Scherer return at doubles and may form the No. 1 pair.
Sophomores Brandon Hoesing and Troy Williams were both in the doubles lineup a year ago. Hoesing is nursing recent injuries from an auto accident, however, and Williams is battling younger players for a position.
Eighth-grader Dan Gravelle is expected to earn a doubles position. Others trying to earn a varsity spot are freshmen Justin Rieker, Aaron's younger brother, Trevor Andree and Seb Schrodt; and seventh-graders Stephen Mino and Cory Kennis.
2002 LYLE/AUSTIN PACELLI BOYS TENNIS
Roster
Senior -- Aaron Rieker*. Sophomores -- Nic Anderson*, Brandon Hoesing*, Steve Porter*, Troy Williams*. Freshmen -- Trevor Andree, Nate Lyons, Justin Rieker. Eighth-graders -- Dolan Wagner, Brandon Walter, Brandon Scherer, Dan Gravelle. Seventh-graders -- Stephen Mino, Cory Kennis, Seb Schrodt.
* -- Denotes returning letterwinners.
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SCHEDULE
April 11 -- at Martin County West, 4:30 p.m.
April 15 -- at Cannon Falls, 4:30 p.m.
April 23 -- Lake City, 4:30 p.m.
April 25 -- at Shattuck-St. Mary's, 4:30 p.m.
April 27 -- at St. James Invitational, TBA
April 30 -- Martin County West, 5 p.m.
May 7 -- St. Peter, 4:30 p.m.
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May 9 -- at Lake City, 4:30 p.m.
May 13 -- Shattuck-St. Mary's, 4:30 p.m.
May 20 -- Section 1A, TBA
