Building an Outlaws tennis program

Last year the boys tennis team only had four players on their roster, and this year they are up to nine. New Coach David Rowell has hopes for the future of boys tennis, and plans to add players to the roster and build the program into one that will be competitive in league play.

The Outlaws return only two to the varsity squad this year, seniors Matthew Riehle and Zenus Ortega.

Riehle is a team captain who is tall and aggressive at the net and has a killer overhead shot. He is a leader on the team and will start at the No. 1 doubles spot with Dylan Rundle (junior) who is new to the team this year.

Ortega will play at the No. 3 singles spot. He has a powerful serve and is quick on the court. Coach Rowell will mix up the lineup throughout the season, and at times Ortega will partner with Riehle at No. 1 doubles.

Along with Rundle, several other players join the Outlaws for the first time, including junior Timber Bionda, sophomore Jude Parzyboc, and freshmen Dominic Pulver, Chris Roach, Mason Dahl, and Toban Bionda.

Dahl and Roach are slated to start as No. 2 doubles partners. Both are new to the sport and will work on fundamentals and working as a team. Brothers Timber and Toban are also first-year players and will play No. 3 doubles.

Rowell said, “As a new coach in the league I will need to learn our opponents’ strengths and how we match up against them, and will be trying different lineups throughout the season. For more tennis coverage visit http://www.nuggetnews.com.