Apaches tennis led by strong junior group

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GONZALES — This time last year the Apaches tennis team fielded their deepest team under head coach Sarah Kennedy’s tutelage. Although they’ve graduated many seniors last year, Kennedy believes that this team has what it takes to go far.

“This year’s team holds great potential,” Kennedy said. “While we graduated quite a few seniors in May we are returning several experienced juniors this season.”

One of which is three-year varsity lettermen Matthew Grauke who right now is listed as one of the top players to watch for the Apaches as he tries to make his mark in boys’ singles play.

Kennedy noted that Grauke has had a string of bad luck getting matched up with top seeds during the district tournament. Other varsity players competing in boys’ singles are senior Rene Bibas and junior Nick Espinoza.

One of the Apaches strengths will come in boys’ doubles as the returning regional qualifying team of Jacob Burek and Caden Low has their eyes set at getting a first or second place district finish.

“[They] are an obvious team to keep an eye on this year,” Kennedy noted. “They were a new team last year and continue to set the bar for dedication and hard work.”

Burek and Low come in as juniors. Behind that team, Kennedy is looking to add another pair from the junior varsity squad.

“There are several JV boys that are looking to take the second boys’ doubles position on the team,” she said. “I foresee the second position being filled by the time district rolls around. These boys all have so much heart and desire and are always at the courts looking to get better.”

Meanwhile, girls’ singles will also be a strong suit for the Apaches with junior Madalin Kocian leading the way as well as senior Valeria Aguayo.

Kocian finished fourth in district last year.

“Kocian finished on a high note in April and will be striving for a higher finish this year at district,” Kennedy said. “Aguayo is ready to make her mark this season and be a fierce competitor.”

Girls’ doubles Caitlyn Stern and Chelse McCauley, both juniors, were also named to the varsity team.

As for mixed doubles, Kennedy did admit that a large void was left after the powerhouse teams of Lucero Luna/Zachary Hernandez and Shenan Owens/Fernando Ontiveros graduated. However, the head coach believes that she has the young talent to step up and help out in that area. Right now she has the team of Roma Gallardo (junior) and Eli Whitescarver (senior) listed as her varsity mixed doubles team.

With their first tournament coming in this Friday at Judson, the Apaches are currently working on becoming better at the net with their tennis game.

“My goal for our team is to develop a better ‘at net’ game,” Kennedy. “[That means] I would love for all teams and individuals to rush the net when they have the opportunity and be baseline only players. Many have been practicing this and we can’t wait to put it to use in our matches.”

Their schedule this season is packed with many dual matches scheduled against Cuero, Navarro and others that’ll see the Apaches take on district and regional competitors.

“We are looking forward to a great season,” Kennedy said, “but this year will be different than in the past as we will be bringing fierce competition to every tournament. The majority of the current varsity squad have several years of varsity experience and are hungry for medals and top finishes.”

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