Tryout Information

To-Do list for boys playing tennis this Fall:
     1.  Sign up by clicking the button above.
     2.  Make sure you have your physical on file.  
     3.  Read ALL the tryout information below so you know what to expect.

Thank you for choosing to play high school tennis!  I'm looking forward to another awesome season.  Here is some basic information about high school tennis at West Ottawa:

• Tennis is a NO-CUT sport.  There are no cuts in tennis, even for Seniors.  Everyone will be able to participate on a team in some capacity.  
• Important Dates - Wednesday, August 10 is the first day of tryouts at the High School South Courts.  Here is an overview of the first week and a half:

            Wednesday, August 10    9-noon
            Thursday, August 11       9-noon
            Friday, August 12            9-noon
            Monday, August 15          9-noon  
            Tuesday, August 16         9-noon
            Wednesday, August 17     Practice: Time TBD for JV, Varsity at TCC
            Thursday, August 18        Practice: Time TBD
            Friday, August 19            Practice: Time TBD

• What do I need for tryouts?  

         1.  A Physical - I'm not allowed to let you play without a physical.  
         2.  You need to be signed up, which you do by clicking the button above.  
         3.  Bring your Racket, water bottle, and tennis gear.  That's honestly all you need. 

• How many players make the Varsity team?  Twelve players on varsity play in the starting lineup.  I generally take around 14 players on varsity, depending on what I see during tryouts.  Challenge match results are the main factor to determine who makes the varsity team, but ultimately the coaches decide which players give us the chance to win the conference and regional title at the end of the season.  
• At tryouts, will I be playing doubles or singles?  Most likely doubles.  The varsity team has four singles players and eight doubles players.  JV is predominantly doubles.  So for 90% of the players trying out, I'm evaluating you on how good you are at playing doubles.  
• What do coaches look at for picking a varsity team?  

   Things that Matter:

1. Your talent - Players who win move up, players who lose move to a lower spot.  
2. Your character/competitive spirit - If two players are approximately equal, I will choose theperson who practices with urgency and shows they love to compete.  

   Things that DON'T matter:

1. What grade you are in - Freshmen...Senior, it doesn't matter.  The best players play.
2. What team you played on last year - Last year's varsity players do not automatically keep their spot.  They must prove they are still the best.  If you can show over the entirety of tryouts that you are better, then their spot will become your spot.

• How are we looking?  I think pretty strong.  The Varsity team has won 11 out of the last 13 Conference titles.  They have won 10 Regional titles in the last 12 years.  They have gone to the State Finals 18 of the last 19 years in a row.  From what I've seen at MVP, Dewitt, and our Tuesday night hitting sessions, we've to a ton of players working hard.  Both the JV and Varsity teams could be looking at a fun Fall season.
• Who do I contact if I still have questions:  email Coach Schwallier at schwallierp@westottwa.net