PATRICK SCHMIEDT Star-Tribune staff writer | Posted: Thursday, October 2, 2008 12:00 am
Kelly Walsh tennis coach Dwight Ballard hasn't had to say much to his girls' team this year.
He said all he had to say on the first day of practice.
"Since day one, I asked the girls if they remember the feeling from last year and they said 'Yes,' and then I said, 'How many of you want that feeling again?'" Ballard said. "We just have to be clicking on all eight cylinders with all eight girls."
The Trojans, the defending state champions, will try to repeat that feat this week at the Wyoming State High School Tennis Championships in Cheyenne.
This time, though, KW isn't the favorite.
The Sheridan girls won the North Regional, edging out Kelly Walsh by nine points for the title, while Jackson won the South Regional, topping second-place Central by 11.
Last year, KW had the state title sewn up before the final day of the tournament, but Ballard said such a scenario unfolding again this year isn't likely - there are too many teams bunched together at the top.
But he's still hopeful the Trojans can put forth an effort that will translate into another state title.
"I think because they knew what it took to get there last year, they can see the light at the end of the tunnel," Ballard said.
Natrona County coach Pat Hopkins also has high hopes for his girls' team this week. Even though the Fillies finished fourth at regionals, they beat both Sheridan and Jackson in duals this year, Hopkins said.
"Even though we haven't seen our best, we still think we have a very good shot," Hopkins said. " … We just hope we see the best of them down there (in Cheyenne)."
The boys' debate, for now, starts and ends with Gillette. The Camels, two-time defending state champions, won all five brackets at the North Regional last week; combined, Gillette players lost only one set at regionals.
Central's depth was key as they nipped East by one point for the South Regional boys' championship. However, East's Aaron Lapkin and Bryce Melcher swept the singles titles at regionals, and their play might be enough to threaten Gillette's run at the top.
It will be tough for either Casper school to make a run for the top spot, but that doesn't mean they can't cause some havoc within their brackets.
Hopkins said the improvement the NC boys have shown is one of the highlights of the season.
"These kids came out and hadn't played any competitive tennis," he said. "You look at them now, they look like tennis players."
As for the state atmosphere, both Hopkins and Ballard said they've tried to take a low-key approach this week in practice.
"We try not to hype it too much," Hopkins said. "We don't want to get too emotional.
"They know it's state. They know what's at stake."
Contact high school sports coordinator Patrick Schmiedt at (307) 266-0615 or patrick.schmiedt@trib.com.
State Tracker
WHAT: Wyoming State High School Tennis Championships
WHEN: Today, Friday and Saturday; 8 a.m. start time each day
WHERE: Cheyenne. Matches will be spread out at five sites throughout the city.
DEFENDING CHAMPS: Girls, Kelly Walsh. Boys, Gillette.
BRACKETS: Full state tennis brackets are available online at the Wyoming High School Activities Association's Web site, http://www.whsaa.org.