The LHS men’s tennis team plans to cause a racquet this season. Beginning practice at 5:30 a.m. sounds too early for most but for this team, practice has been fun and exciting even if it’s before the sun comes up. The first few days of practice are for evaluation and getting to know everyone in the program then ladder matches begin. Ladders matches are when everyone is placed into pools and play everyone in that pool to determine the top 6 players for the varsity lineup.

   The 2018-2019 team motto is “road warriors” and this is exactly what the team plans on being. With all the regular season matches and two trips to Columbia, Missouri, the team plans on continuing to reach their goals as a team and progress as individual and as a whole.

“The team goal for this season is to be consistent whether in the wind, the cold, or the heat,” senior Cayden Chapman said. “We want to be road warriors as we travel for some very challenging matches and tournaments.”

   The team dynamic is strong at the beginning of the season despite the loss of seniors who graduated.

   “This season is naturally different due to the fact that half of our Varsity team graduated last year.” Chapman said. “There is definitely a different dynamic that comes with three new Varsity members but I think we have connected together as a team really well so far.”

   Despite the obstacles and differences of this season, the team plans on going farther in the playoffs than ever before with young talent.

“I am looking forward to seeing how the returners mesh with the new players to form this year’s team,” head coach Andy Schneider said.

   Junior Cameron Duello agrees.

“We were 18-3 last season as a team, and we advanced to the elite eight of the State tournament where we lost to Rockhurst,” Duello said. “All we can hope for is that day after day we continue to play to the best of our ability.”

   While being a part of the team the boys develop friendships and life skills and are thankful for the opportunities they have received while being part of the program.

  “Tennis has transformed me into becoming a hardworking, self-accountable and all-around better person,” junior Tyson Cowger said. “It has provided me outlets I didn’t imagine when I started and it will be with me through college.”

   Last year seven seniors graduated out of the program but the teams expects a great season with a lot of young talent. Freshmen Noah Koch and Liam Bogue are playing in the A pool with other members.

   “I’m excited to be able to play tennis as a team, play with my friends and possibly people I know from other schools,” Bogue said.