Mitchell – This is a new era for the boys’ tennis team from the Mitchell high school.
Over the past 13 years, longtime coach Pat Moller was at the helm, but he left last season. Former assistant coach Tyler Mcentee received the reins and was responsible for driving the nuclei in the future.
MCENTEE played tennis in Mitchell from 2007 to 10 and has been deputy coach in the last four seasons, giving him an understanding of the place where the program is and with which he has to work.
He said there was a pressure as a first-year-old chief coach, but it is not because he follows one of the best boys tennis coaches in the history of the program.
“It’s just all the possibilities you need to analyze for how I want to manage this team. How can I perform practices? ” Said MCENTEE. “Right now, we are trying to decide our university range. Try to decide between all these talented children, who will get a academic location and to what theft and constitute a team which, in our opinion, can win at any level, is where the pressure is really.”
MCENTEE said that entering the rhythm because the head coach was a bit of an acclimatization process. As for the changes he could make at the start of his mandate, he said he was implementing new advanced strategies.
“We are experiencing the recording of certain matches, obtaining advanced statistics in this way and analyzing the game a little more afterwards, instead of trying to be present and taking notes,” said McTEEE. “This is where I try to learn, but if not, I just do what we have done best for four years. Then, over time, we will change things as you go.”
The nuclei bring back a solid nucleus of returners, including four participants from the state of last season.
Blake Durham / Mitchell République
After reaching the n ° 2 consolation championship in single last season, Luke Jerke Senior should be one of the best interpreters and leaders in Mitchell. Junior Matthew Mauszycki returns after a sixth place in simple n ° 3 to State last season. After finishing sixth in simple n ° 4 only as a student of eighth year, Freshman Cooper Star is ready to take another step forward. Junior Asher Dannenbring also returns after a fourth place in simple n ° 6.
MCENTEE said that the keys to sustained success will consist of finding a team basic identity, which could take tests and errors at the start, but he knows what type of tennis he wants the nuclei.
“You have a lot of weak ups and downs, and trying to keep these skittles, let the losses pass and focus on the next point,” said McANTEE. “I like to play very coherent tennis. You can play a very flashy and high power tennis, or you can play very slowly and grind it. I think we like to sit somewhere in the middle and be aggressive, but comfortable.”
The nuclei open their season with a triangular against Brandon Valley and Yankton in Yankton on Friday April 4. MCENTEE said that these first weeks could find a basic line for each athlete and maximize their talent from there.
“Some may need help for a second service, some may need help with the flying, they are all extremely unique,” said McTEEE. “They all have their own strengths and weaknesses, and he tries to maximize the forces and minimize weaknesses.”
Nathan Swaffar is a sports journalist from the Republic of Mitchell. He joined the Mitchell Republic in July 2024 after graduating from the University of Kansas in May 2024 with a diploma in journalism and a minor in history. It covers a variety of preparation sports and college in southern Dakota, including USD football.
