Tennis: Winning matches the least of SJ's problems (04-13-06)
Generals working with five players -- By Tommy Keeler Jr. (Daily Staff Writer)
QUICKSBURG — This wasn't the way it was supposed to be.
Cody Girouard and Matt Fabry are in their third year on the Stonewall Jackson boys tennis team and the two seniors are still searching for their first district title. This year was supposed to be their year to win it and advance to the Region B tournament.
Instead, they are faced with overcoming a difficult obstacle — entering each match with just five players. Every time the Generals walk on the court, they start with a 2-0 deficit because they have to forfeit one singles match and one doubles match.
"It's very frustrating," Fabry said. "It makes it really tough because we have to win five out of seven [individual] matches to win the [team] match."
It's been especially tough for Girouard and Fabry, who have been best friends since second grade and play at the top two positions. The two started out playing pingpong together years ago before deciding to give tennis a shot since the two sports are similar.
"Matt and I were like, 'Why not go out for the team?'" Girouard said. "We're both real competitive. I like the fact that it's one-on-one."
The past two years, the Generals have finished third in the district. But with Central moving to Group AA and Wilson Memorial graduating most of its top six, Stonewall Jackson had high hopes for the season.
The Generals graduated one of their top six from last year, had one player move away and another choose another spring sport. Suddenly, they were left with five.
The Generals tried to find a sixth player. They've advertised during the school's morning announcements and even had several students interested, but no one actually showed up.
"It's pretty ridiculous that we have 500 students and we can't find a sixth player," Fabry said.
With four seniors on the squad, things don't look much better for the future. Coach Scott Wymer said he doesn't expect the Generals to have a team next year.
"I haven't heard of any interest at the middle school level," he said. "I think there needs to be more done recreationally over the summer to get kids more interested. Tennis isn't seen enough on TV. It doesn't get the publicity that other sports get."
Stonewall Jackson started off 0-6 and had to play several matches with only four players, meaning it had to forfeit two singles matches and one doubles match. The Generals begin the district season Tuesday against defending champion Wilson Memorial. The players know it will be tough to win the district but they haven't given up hope.
"We're going to try hard and give it our best," sophomore Hodges Hart said. "Everybody is staying positive."
Added Girouard: "We'd like to win districts, but you can only do what you can do when you're shorthanded."
In past years, Buffalo Gap has played with five players, giving Wymer and the Generals a little hope that they may be on even terms with at least one team. If they get their first win, the players know it will makes things that much sweeter. Regardless of how many wins they record, having five players does have some benefits.
"We all get along and hang out," Girouard said. "We're more of a team. It's made everybody closer."
