Tennis Sign-ups / 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.
4. Be ready...this year's schedule may be our toughest.
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.
4. Be ready...this year's schedule may be our toughest.
Tryout Information
The season will begin on Wednesday, August 14th. Tryouts will be held at the High School South courts. All players MUST be 1) be signed up and 2) have a physical on file with the office.
A minimum of twelve players will be selected for the varsity team. Challenge match results are the main factor to determine who makes the varsity team, but ultimately the coaches decide which players give us the greatest chance to win a conference and regional title when the season ends. All players will try out as doubles players.
Players who wish to try out for singles must text or email me by August 7 to decide whether that is something worth pursuing. Currently Joe Miller, Nick Schnobel, Nick Valentine, and Mark VanderStoep are trying out for singles. If you believe your off-season training has put you at that level and you want to play singles, let me know! If not, try out for doubles. Round robins, sets, pro-sets, and matches may be used throughout the tryout process to evaluate players in both singles and doubles.
TENNIS IS A NO-CUT SPORT. All players not selected for varsity will play on junior varsity, however the higher-ranked players on JV will play more matches during the season. Unlike many sports, upperclassmen may play on JV. The first days of tryouts are listed below. From there the practice times will depend on which team the athlete makes. Players must be flexible when it rains to play at other times.
Wednesday, August 14 9-noon
Thursday, August 15 9-noon
Friday, August 16 9-noon
Monday, August 19 9-noon
Tuesday, August 20 9-noon
Wednesday, August 21 Traverse City Central Invite
Thursday, August 22 9-noon
Friday, August 23 Okemos Invite
Saturday, August 24 Ann Arbor Invitational
*Note: Even in good weather, players who want to be considered to varsity should be prepared to play past noon to finish whatever match they have in progress.
How to do well at Tryouts:
1. Win your Court - Each day you will be given several different partners and several different opponents. The more you win, the better players you will face in the future. If you think you are initially placed on too low of a court, the way you tell me is by winning convincingly and getting moved up.
2. Be Confident - If you want a girl to believe you are worth dating, then you better believe you are worth dating. If you want a business to believe you are worth hiring, then you better believe you are worth hiring. And if you want me to have confidence in you, then you better have confidence in yourself. When you step onto the court, you need to own it. Be the person to pump your partner and yourself up. Make me want to stop whatever I'm doing and watch you play because of your high energy, your hustle, and all your other great qualities:) Don't need motivating, be motivating!
3. Be Coachable - If I'm considering you for varsity, I will likely be giving you things to work on throughout the tryouts. In my head, I'm asking myself... (1) how hard are you working to make the changes, (2) do you remember to do what I say over time, and (3) are you capable of making the change successfully.
4. Show Sportsmanship - Last year, Dan Dykens played every match with a scowl on his face. Mason VanDyne played with a permanent smile. Both won consistently, were always focused, upbeat, pumped up, and well-respected by their teammates and opposing players/coaches. I don't care whether you play with a smile or a scowl, but compete and act in a way that makes other people proud of you. Good luck!
A minimum of twelve players will be selected for the varsity team. Challenge match results are the main factor to determine who makes the varsity team, but ultimately the coaches decide which players give us the greatest chance to win a conference and regional title when the season ends. All players will try out as doubles players.
Players who wish to try out for singles must text or email me by August 7 to decide whether that is something worth pursuing. Currently Joe Miller, Nick Schnobel, Nick Valentine, and Mark VanderStoep are trying out for singles. If you believe your off-season training has put you at that level and you want to play singles, let me know! If not, try out for doubles. Round robins, sets, pro-sets, and matches may be used throughout the tryout process to evaluate players in both singles and doubles.
TENNIS IS A NO-CUT SPORT. All players not selected for varsity will play on junior varsity, however the higher-ranked players on JV will play more matches during the season. Unlike many sports, upperclassmen may play on JV. The first days of tryouts are listed below. From there the practice times will depend on which team the athlete makes. Players must be flexible when it rains to play at other times.
Wednesday, August 14 9-noon
Thursday, August 15 9-noon
Friday, August 16 9-noon
Monday, August 19 9-noon
Tuesday, August 20 9-noon
Wednesday, August 21 Traverse City Central Invite
Thursday, August 22 9-noon
Friday, August 23 Okemos Invite
Saturday, August 24 Ann Arbor Invitational
*Note: Even in good weather, players who want to be considered to varsity should be prepared to play past noon to finish whatever match they have in progress.
How to do well at Tryouts:
1. Win your Court - Each day you will be given several different partners and several different opponents. The more you win, the better players you will face in the future. If you think you are initially placed on too low of a court, the way you tell me is by winning convincingly and getting moved up.
2. Be Confident - If you want a girl to believe you are worth dating, then you better believe you are worth dating. If you want a business to believe you are worth hiring, then you better believe you are worth hiring. And if you want me to have confidence in you, then you better have confidence in yourself. When you step onto the court, you need to own it. Be the person to pump your partner and yourself up. Make me want to stop whatever I'm doing and watch you play because of your high energy, your hustle, and all your other great qualities:) Don't need motivating, be motivating!
3. Be Coachable - If I'm considering you for varsity, I will likely be giving you things to work on throughout the tryouts. In my head, I'm asking myself... (1) how hard are you working to make the changes, (2) do you remember to do what I say over time, and (3) are you capable of making the change successfully.
4. Show Sportsmanship - Last year, Dan Dykens played every match with a scowl on his face. Mason VanDyne played with a permanent smile. Both won consistently, were always focused, upbeat, pumped up, and well-respected by their teammates and opposing players/coaches. I don't care whether you play with a smile or a scowl, but compete and act in a way that makes other people proud of you. Good luck!