Wednesday Opponent Overview: Rochester

Last Season Review
I must admit that I don't know that much about the course of the Zebras' season last year, as we only crossed that path twice last year, once at the varsity level and once against the JV. They were certainly a young team last year, having graduated many of their upper level talent the year before. When they played Tippecanoe Valley, a match they won 5-0, there was only one senior on either side of the court, and he wasn't a Zebra. They were eliminated in the first round of a difficult Sectional (won every single year by Culver Academies), but they were actually defeated 3-2 by Knox. In that match they captured both doubles, but lost in three sets at #2 and #3 singles. These signs of inexperience will occur less in the upcoming seasons, but the past season was definitely one to build on for the Zebras.

Returning Varsity Players
Max Hsu - A small, quick player with beautifully arched topspin groundstrokes, Hsu reminds me a lot of Luke Hostetter as a sophomore. But their is a difference. When you watch Hsu's matches you admire the way he hits the ball, but he doesn't win a lot of points, and you can't figure out why. With Luke, he seemed to will his way to victories without much more. I think that there is a certain determination that cannot be measured in the way the game looks be can be felt in the momentum of a point. In Hsu can add this intangible, he could be on his way to a very solid career.

Ryan Bohr - The elder statesman of this team as a junior, Bohr will be the only senior on the roster next season. Of the singles players, he was the only one not to lose 6-0, 6-0 when we played them, so credit is due there. However, there was no defining element to his game that made you believe he was going to win points. Against Jared it seemed like he was just hanging on. He'll need to develop some go-to weapons or consistent strokes to force his way to wins next season.

Travis Wottring - A freshman, Wottring played #2 doubles in the Concord Invitational, losing 6-0, 6-2 to Daniel and Ben Mast. Throughout the season, he became a solid #3 singles player for the Zebras, and in the final match of the year, the first round of Sectionals came down to his match. With everything on the line, he took a 3-2 lead, only to lose the next 3 games and find himself in a 5-3 hole. He went on to lose the match and Knox advanced to the Sectional final. These kind of learning experiences are painful and valuable. Not much more could have been expected from a freshman, but now Wottring will have experience on his side in future tight matches. I believe he had a brother spend several years as the Zebras #1 singles player, so he might have the motivation to work and catch up with his brother's pedigree.

Cameron Screeton/Cody Hershberger - These guys gave Jeremy and Mikey a good set, and then kind of fell off in the second set, maybe due to frustration or unbelief. They are certainly solid players, and Screeton now has two years of varsity experience under his belt, as only a sophomore. In the Sectional match against Knox they were able to pull through for the Zebras. In our match against them, it was easy to see that Mikey and Jeremy were the aggressors. That was due in part to our emphasis on getting forward, but I think that they were also comfortable laying back. It will be interesting to see if this tendency changes as the team moves forward.

Jacob Schroder/Aaron Stuart - I can honestly say I remember very little about either of these players. Jacob Schroder actually played #3 singles against us, and Jonny defeated him 6-0, 6-0. Jonny actually played quite well in that match, I remember him being able to get forward as Schroder was decently consistent but lacked the power to pass. Stuart I remember less, as he partnered Wottring in a 6-0, 6-2 loss to Daniel and Ben Mast.

Other Possible Varsity Contributors
I would expect their varsity to remain the same, due to losing no graduating seniors but...
Phil Keim - lost to Ben Mast, 1-6, 0-6
Kyle Calhoun - lost to Seth Krabill, 0-6, 1-6
Josh Calhoun - lost to Kyle Miller, 1-6, 2-6

Outlook
Well, we've seen what a team that returns all seven varsity players can do (us this past year). I think that Rochester is moving in the right direction behind a great coach, but being mostly freshman and sophomores this past season, I think their aim will be a bit lower than a Sectional title next year. If they continue to make improvements, I think this will prove to be a good but not great season for them. The promise is in place though, for them to have several successful seasons in a row. It is certainly a match I will look forward to playing.

Blessing
We continue to pray that God will bless this team in many ways throughout this year.