Helias tennis team eyeing districts as season begins

During the past two seasons, the Helias boys tennis team has been stuck in a district with three of the state's largest schools. As a result, the light at the end of the tunnel usually ended up being an oncoming train.

But with a drop from Class 2 to Class 1, the end of the season is starting to look at lot more enticing to the Crusaders.

"We're in a different district, so that really plays into our hands," Helias coach Margaret Shimkus said. "We've got some positive things to look forward to, we've got some year-end goals that we can set.

"It's not such a dead-end street like it's been the last few years. I think that gets them excited. That's going to give them something to shoot for. They can say, "Hey, it's attainable,' rather than going into the at-bat knowing that you're going to strike out."

The journey toward district play begins today when the Crusaders open the season with a 4:30 p.m. match against Moberly at Washington Park. The schedule is a little easier than in the past few seasons with the elimination of matches against former district foes like Jefferson City and Rock Bridge, but it's still taxing in its own way.

"If you look at the schedule, it's harsh," Shimkus said. "The Monday after prom, we have Osage. The Monday after Easter, when the kids are out of school, we have a match against Hickman.

"I told them they're going to have to show effort and commitment first. And I have good commitment."

That commitment comes in ways different than the typical one of working hard at practice.

"Mark Lamb came out last year (as a sophomore) after not making the golf team and this year, he got a lot of his friends to come out," Shimkus said. "So I've got more on the junior side. To me, that shows commitment to the team. He's enjoying it and having fun, and that's what I look for."

Those new juniors are part of several newcomers to a squad that has swelled to 21 strong. The only downside is there are plenty of rookies - not just to the team, but to the sport.

"I tell the kids all the time that it's a lifelong sport - all you need is a ball and a wall," Shimkus said. "So it's fun. We have a good camaraderie.

"But there is a little bit more teaching involved, not just coaching. ... Some don't know what tiebreakers are, so we try to help them can get the hang of it. As we get in the matches, it will be a learning experience.

"I'm going to try to team them up with somebody who knows what's going on. There's seven returning players, so I do have some guys who know what high-school tennis is about."

Only three Crusaders have any varsity experience - junior T.J. Hagenhoff, who will hold down the No. 1 singles spot, along with junior Ryan Pollock and senior Klint Braun.

"T.J. was 5 (in singles) last year and Ryan was 6 and Klint played some doubles for us," Shimkus said. "After that I have all kinds of new people and some returnees."

A small senior class includes Dane Haugen, who's in his second year with the team, and newcomer Logan Shaffer.

Others in the mix for varsity time include junior Dylan Grawe and freshmen Tristan Grawe and Dalton Buschjost.

"It's going to be a hodgepodge and we'll have to see," Shimkus said. "I'm trying really hard to get a rank order in before the first match and it's been quite the challenge."

Still, even with that uncertainty, the time has come to stop practicing and start playing.

"I think they're ready to play," Shimkus said. "They're ready to get in the saddle and go. Now we'll see if they are really ready. That will be part of the learning process.

"The first couple matches will show them a lot and then they'll know, and I'll know, what else we need to work on to face the better schools later on."