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Red Hawks Look To Continue Tradition
The Ripon tennis team will continue their tradition of excellence in 2008 when they open their season at UW-Oshkosh on February 8th. That tradition includes four consecutive undefeated conference seasons in the North Division of the Midwest Conference. The Red Hawks haven't lost a conference match since their conference opener in 2004, a streak that spans 19 consecutive conference victories. With head coach Paul VandenBoogaard returning for his second season at the helm, the team will likely operate even smoother this season.
"I am very excited about this season because we are going to have a very strong team again even though we lost two very strong players from last year," VandenBoogaard said. "I am excited and hope to win the North and be able to have another shot at winning a conference title."
After a four-year playing career with the Red Hawks, VandenBoogaard was thrust into the head coaching position for the first time last season. With one year under his belt, he hopes to take some of the lessons he learned as a rookie head coach and apply them this season, in anticipation that the conference crown will return to Ripon.
"Last season was a very good learning experience for me. I learned how much harder it is to be a coach where you have to tell players what to do, rather than just going out on the court and doing it yourself," VandenBoogaard said. "I found myself doing more talking to players about staying calm and not so much about tennis during matches."
This year's team has an interesting mix of both experience and youth. Their roster consists of three seniors, two juniors, two sophomores, and four freshmen. That will give many different players the opportunity to contribute and will also give the younger players a chance to learn from the guys who have been there before.
"It's always a good thing to have the young guys that don't feel the need to prove themselves to the veterans, while also having veterans that are able to show the younger guys the ropes and help them throughout the season," VandenBoogaard said. "The younger guys are always going to be pushing the veterans, trying to take their spot, which will only make the veterans play that much harder."
The two players that will be looked at to lead the team will be seniors Dave Czarnecki (Brookfield, Wis./Brookfield Central) and Andy Schaller (Neenah, Wis./Neenah). Both Czarnecki and Schaller were tied for second on the team in wins last season, each winning six matches and combining to post a 12-12 record in 2007.
"Czarnecki and Schaller are the two most experienced players on the team," VandenBoogaard said. "Tennis is a sport where leadership is showed by how a player acts and plays on the court. The other players will look up to and listen more to the guys that are winning and showing that they want it, as both of these players do."
Junior Dan Weiler (Aurora, Ill./Marmion Academy) will also play a big part in Ripon's successes this season, after winning a team-best seven matches last year. Ben Sweeney (Shorewood, Wis./Shorewood) will also look to make a contribution, as he returns after a one-year hiatus.
"Sweeney will be able to bring some great matches even though he has been off for a year," VandenBoogaard said. "We are going to have many players that are going to contribute and play a big role. Everyone is important to this team."
With 11 players on the roster, Ripon has more players than a lot of conference schools, which means more options when it comes to competition. That will only help the Red Hawks as they attempt to continue the success of the program, which has seen 17 conference titles, including 14 in the last 22 years.
"We are very deep this season, which is one of our biggest strengths," VandenBoogaard said. "We are going to have to work very hard on staying consistent and just playing the game that we are capable of and not trying to do more than we can. If we do that, we should be alright."
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