Tennis Turnover

For returning tennis players, they will see new faces on their coaching staff. After Tyler Jacobs left for Post Falls, William Ryan took the reins. 

Former assistant coach Maggie Mayernik opted to not return to the program, and instead, Shannon Hall applied and received the job. 

Coach Ryan is no stranger to Lakeland sports, as he was the head coach of Lakeland’s JV boys basketball team, and a varsity assistant as well. 

Also, Coach Hall was a co-head coach of Cross Country for Lakeland, and while she does not have lots of tennis experience she is enthusiastic about her newfound role. 

When asked about her reasoning behind applying for the job, Hall said, “I thought it would be a fun, new challenge for me.” 

Although she never played tennis in her early life, recently she has taken advantage of tennis playing opportunities. Hall said, “… (I have) taken advantage of times when I was invited to play.”

When asked about goals Hall said, “My goals include building up the camaraderie of the tennis team.” 

Despite the fact this is new to Coach Hall, she is not worried. Hall said, “Coach Ryan’s and Coach Manko’s expertise coupled with the talent of several returning players, …. I have great mentors to guide me along the way.”

From a player’s perspective, the change of staff in the tennis program may provide a positive changing of the guard. 

Returning star varsity player Brady Hanna said, “I think the changes will provide a lot more structure.”

An often overlooked aspect of any sport is the importance of the development of younger players. It is because of this element that structure in the junior varsity programs is of utmost importance.

Coach Hall taking the reins of the junior varsity program may prove extremely beneficial at the varsity level. 

“The JV system will be more structured and that will help to build a program,” Hanna said. 

Hall said she would like to add, “knowing the caliber and quality of the athletes involved in tennis made me really excited to join the program.  We have a lot of expertise among the returning athletes and also a plethora of new people who are ready to learn and add to the program, so it is a very impelling time to join in the sport!”

This year, the varsity team lost a lot of starters, however there are some returners. 

Boys varsity standouts Cole Andres, Brady Hanna, Bo Wilding, and Ben Ryan. Girls senior varsity returners include Faith Brodwater, Madison Hersh, and Allison Rader. 

Brady Hanna is hoping to make his second straight state appearance, and although his partner Brady Manko graduated, he will be returning as a coach.