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August 24. 2010 1:59PM

Returning to the courts with their top two players, Coach Jesse Gladis believes this year could be the most promising for Brandon Valley girls tennis.

Gladis said the leadership of senior co-captains Jami Koens (No. 1 singles) and Tasha Nelson (No. 2) has helped to build the team concept and not just individual players.

“With their leadership skills, they’ve done such a great job,” Gladis said. “Jamie and Tasha have helped to turn this into what I have envisioned for a tennis team.”

This is the third season the senior duo has served as co-captains. It’s a role they both are excited to do.

“I love tennis and I love being there for the girls and helping them,” Nelson said.

In addition to Koens and Nelson, the Lynx will rely on three other returning letter winners this season. Freshman Erin Buse will fill the No. 3 singles slot, while juniors Hayley Naasz and Haley Rubin are the team’s No. 4 and 5 players. Sophomore Haylee Thomas will play No. 6 singles for the Lynx.

Buse, Naasz and Rubin all placed at state last year. As a team, the Lynx improved on their 15th place team finish in 2008 to ninth in 2009.

“We had a great tournament,” Gladis said.

But Gladis and company has set their sights higher this season. They’re plugging to place in the top half of the ESD and finish as one of the top five teams in the state.
But several ESD programs could dictate just how well they do.

“Watertown didn’t lose anybody and will be very good,” Gladis said. Aberdeen Central lost just one of its top six players. The coach also gives a nod to Yankton, Mitchell and Pierre.

“The ESD as a whole didn’t lose many girls at all. Whoever worked hard over the summer could win on any given day,” Gladis said.

The coach also cites two other powerhouses in the state – Rapid City Stevens and Sioux Falls O’Gorman. “I’d give them (Rapid City Central) the edge right now, but Watertown could get in the mix” he said.

Koens believes the Lady Lynx are up to the challenge. “I think this season could be our best yet,” she said. “We have a lot of experience on the varsity team. We just have to go after every ball, forget what we can’t control and we have to want it.”

Adds Nelson, “We need to stay focused, work our hardest and never give up.”

Gladis said the girls showed their dedication to the sport this summer. “We had some girls play 200 hours,” he said. They also committed time to the weight room as well.
“This team of girls is very dedicated,” Gladis said. “It’s fun to set goals higher and higher and not have to go backwards. This is a fun time for us now.”

Brandon Valley’s first test came last weekend at Brookings, where they faced the host Bobcats and the Sturgis Scoopers.

And for the first time, Brandon Valley will host a two-day team tournament. Scheduled in conjunction with next month’s Pigskin Classic, 10 teams will begin play at 9 a.m. on both Sept. 10 and 11.

BVHS 2010 Girl’s Tennis Schedule
Aug. 27 at Rapid City Central/RC Invite Noon/3 p.m.
Aug. 28 at Rapid City Invite 8 a.m.
Aug. 31 at O’Gorman 4 p.m.
Sept. 4 at Huron Quad 9 a.m.
Sept. 7 S.F. Washington 4 p.m.
Sept. 10 BV Team Invite 9 a.m.
Sept. 11 BV Team Invite 9 a.m.
Sept. 13 at S.F. Lincoln 4 p.m.
Sept. 14 at Pipestone Area 4 p.m.
Sept. 16 Luverne 4 p.m.
Sept. 20 at Madison triangular 1 p.m.
Sept. 23 at Watertown triangular 1:30 p.m.
Sept. 24 at Pierre 11 a.m.
Sept. 25 at Pierre Invite 8 a.m.
Sept. 28 Mitchell 4 p.m.
Oct. 1 ESD (Aberdeen) 9 a.m.
Oct. 7-9 State (Rapid City) 9 a.m.