BY JIM MISUNAS
jmisunas@gbtribune.com
Great Bend's tennis team returns regional qualifiers No. 1 singles Aiden Stacey, No. 2 singles Aaron Ramirez and doubles players Kai Britt and Jacob Parks.
Great Bend tennis coach Chris Manning features four seniors and three juniors.
Stacey (12-11) and Ramirez (12-12) switched between singles and doubles last year. At regionals, Hays High's Ken Shaffer beat Ramirez 6-1, 6-0. Salina South's Brodie Garnett/Marcus Cheney defeated Stacey/Parks, 6-3, 7-6 (8-6).
"Aiden Stacey and Jacob Parks are definitely our No. 1 doubles team," Manning said. "Jacob and Stacey have worked hard over the summer and stepped up into leadership roles. They're setting a great example with their work ethic. Their groundstrokes can compete with anybody, and they'll use that to their advantage. They plan on playing the net game and volleying better this spring. They'll look at competing for a 5A state tennis berth."
Kia Britt and Aaron Ramirez also return from last year's varsity lineup.
"Kia and Aaron will float back and forth between No. 1 and 2 singles, or see how they do at No. 2 doubles," Manning said. "Our top four players will be solid entries. We'll build our singles/doubles lineup around our top four players."
After Great Bend's top four players, the other two spots are evenly contested. Two other players will rotate varsity spots. Manning may mix varsity players with experienced players.
The Panthers finished fifth at the Western Athletic Conference tournament. No. 2 singles Jacob Parks earned the Panthers’ point with a 8-0 victory over Liberal’s J’Kobe Contreras. No. 1 doubles Britt/Chason Ramsey and No. 2 doubles Ramirez/Manuel Alba Gamon ended with 0-4 WAC records.
"Garden City is the WAC favorite. We'll compete better in the WAC than last year," Manning said. "We plan on moving up at the league meet."
Manning will be helped by assistant coach Joseph Blevins, who launched Great Bend's middle school tennis program.
"Joseph played college tennis and will help us tremendously," Manning said. "His strong suits are teaching volleying and serving."
PANTHER ROSTER
SENIORS—Jacob Parks (D 6-12; S 4-15), Kia Britt (D 6-12), Aaron Ramirez (S 12-12; S 6-15); Jose Alvarez
JUNIORS—Aiden Stacey (S 13-11), Chase Stout, Santiago Velasquez
SOPHOMORES—Declan Lewis
NINTH-GRADERS—Levi McCormick
OTHERS—Jace Mawhirter; Adrian Hutron; Adolfo Caleanda; Byron Andujo; Evan Vick; Oswaldo Castaneda
PANTHER SCHEDULE—3-31—at McPherson; 4-4—Great Bend Invitational; 4-13—at Hays; 4-20—at Dodge City; 4-23—at Dodge City; 4-25—at Garden City; 4-28—at Emporia; 4-30—Great Bend Invitational; 5-5—at Liberal, Western Athletic; 5-10—at 5A regional; 5-16/17—at 5A state
