Michelle vs Kris - Women's practice - Sep 7, 2011

Michelle playing some awesome attacking tennis (and smiling!) against Coach Kris in a groundstroke game.

VertiMax

Sophomore Elizabeth Hoffman and Coach Kris doing some conditioning on the VertiMax, which works on quickness and agility.

Active Practice

Great ladies practice today! Everyone was engaged and actively working to improve their attacking capabilities. Here's a good sequence with first years Jackie and Jordan hitting a swinging volley (note the nice split step) and attentively listening to Coach Rodgers, respectively.

Clark Racquet Center -- Inventory Sale!

After Coach Kris' painting--and her and Coach Rodgers' reorganization--of the Kohawk Tennis office this summer, we are looking to clear out much of our left over inventory. We have some great deals on brand new bags, women's shoes, racquets, Kohawk apparel and water bottles, as well as some used racquets in good condition. Take a look at the flyer for details at: https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&pid=explorer&chrome=true&srcid=0B6GuIqh-jE2DNTg3ODUxNjMtYzRkNS00YzM4LTk3YWMtZTc2Yzg0ZTM3MGZj&hl=en

Also, check out our team store where you can buy other Kohawk apparel at:
http://gtmteamstore.com/kohawktennis -- the password is gokohawks.

Kohawks Coaching!

Rausa Named Assistant Tennis Coach

WAVERLY, Iowa—Elliot Rausa has been named the assistant tennis coach, Wartburg’s head men’s and women’s tennis coach, Matt Tyler announced today.

Rausa was a four-time First-team All-IIAC honoree in doubles and a two-time First-team All-IIAC in singles at Coe College. He played at the No. 1 doubles spot all four years. Rausa played at the No. 5 singles position his first two seasons and then at No. 2 in his final two.

“We are very excited to be adding Elliot to our coaching staff as he brings a tremendous amount of knowledge and experience to the programs,” said Tyler. “This is a great step forward for Wartburg tennis and we look forward to the new season.”

The 2007 Waterloo Columbus graduate won the Class 1A Doubles Iowa State Championship title with his brother Nathan.

With Elliot's hiring at Wartburg College that brings the number of Coe College alums currently coaching in the collegiate ranks to five.

1990 grad Malcolm Gilreath is the Women's Coach at the University of South Dakota(8th yr)
1998 graduate Mark Murphy is the Women's Tennis Coach at Kalamazoo College(3rd yr)
2010 graduate Greg Janssen is the M/W Asst Tennis Coach at Bates College(2nd yr)
2011 graduate Scott Stegemann is M/W Asst. Tennis Coach at Augustana College (1st yr)
2011 graduate Elliot Rausa is the M/W Asst. Tennis Coach at Wartburg College (1st yr)

What I learned Yesterday...

Another year has gotten underway and it's time to reflect back on yesterday's play and see what I learned about this year's edition of the Kohawks.

Our opening match against Central College was an interesting challenge beyond winning. Coach Tyler's squad unveiled a new style of play for them, essentially which was striking high- clear shots thru the center of the court. Every shot. This forces you to play attacking, forward tennis. Along with a very healthy dose of patience!

Although uncomfortable, especially when combined with the inevitable first-match nerves, the Ladies all embraced the challenge and successfully dealt with it.

Our afternoon match against Simpson was a bit more straightforward in regards to tennis tactics, but nonetheless difficult simply due to the challenge of spending seven hours playing competitive tennis. A few minds wandered from time to time, but again the Ladies were successful in enduring the physical and mental challenge of a long day.

Oh, there are quite a few items to work on with each individual and pair, but that's what practice is for, isn't it? It is good to be underway and all are looking ahead to next weekend's matches.

Coe vs Simpson

After doubles, Coe leads 3-0

Coe wins 9-0!

Schupbach/Lucero(Coe) def Bost/Anderson 81
Ohlman/Pedersen(Coe) def Struebing/Nash 85
Ferree/Hoffmann(Coe) def Schemmel/Gruber 81

Michell Schupbach(Coe) def Mikayla Struebing 60 60
Tai Lucero(Coe) def Tiffany Bost 60 60
Sara Ohlman(Coe) vs Allison Anderson 60 64
Jackie Pedersen(Coe) vs Lindsay Nash 62 62
Jordan Ferree(Coe) def Lynae Gruber 62 60
Elizabeth Hoffmann(Coe) def Whitney Thompson 60 60

Coe vs Central

After Doubles Coe leads 3-0
Coe wins 9-0

Schupbach/Lucero (Coe) def Swartz/Donner 8-1
Ohlman/Pedersen(Coe) def Johnson/Taylor 8-1
Hoffmann/Ferree(Coe) def Koontz/Langer 8-4

Michelle Schupbach(Coe) def Emily Schwartz 61 60
Tail Lucero(Coe) def Kayla Donner 61 61
Sara Ohlman(Coe) def Chelsea Johnson 63 62
Jackie Pedersen(Coe) def Ashlei Bos 60 63
Jordan Ferree(Coe) def Anna Streigel 63 76
Elizabeth Hoffmann(Coe) def Sarah Montgomery 61 61

Women's Pre-Season Begins!

Today the Kohawk Women had their first day of practice, which included team practice from 9:30am-11:30, individual sessions with coaches from either 12:30-1:30 or 1:30-2:30, a team meeting from 2:30-3, and finally a team practice from 3-4. Needless to say, it was a long, grinding, and hopefully productive day of tennis. And tomorrow is much the same! The practice schedule will taper off by the end of the week, but we hope to get some quality work done on the limited amount of time left before opening the season with conference dual matches on September 3rd.

Everything actually kicked off yesterday, when everyone made it back (or for the first time) to Coe. The coaches held an hour long team meeting, followed by games in the evening (such as bags and apples to apples, as seen in the photos). The team also had dinner together tonight, although I neglected to snap a photo for that!

Anyway, there is a lot of work ahead for the players and coaches, but plenty of enjoyment as well--junior captains Sara and Michelle will lead an off-court team activity tomorrow night! Judging from a first day of practice that revealed improvements gained from summer practice, talented first year players hungry to compete, and a hardworking attitude from all, the Kohawks are primed for a very successful season!

Journey's End.....Fresh Start!

After almost 15 weeks, the End of Summer is here and it is time to start up another Academic Year here at Coe. That means Tennis & Coaching!

I spent the better part of the Summer in Cedar Rapids. Whether in CR or out West, my thoughts were on Kohawk Tennis and a long, lengthy process of Program-evaluation and self-evaluation. I arrived at some interesting conclusions and there will be some subtle, and not so subtle, changes made in the Kohawk Tennis Teams.

It is GREAT to have Rob back on campus, and I know Kris, Rob, and I are eagerly awaiting meeting with the Women's Team this Sunday and jumping right on court Monday morning. We have a roster full of talent and upside, and it will be our job to coax that potential into high quality tennis. It will be a fun journey and I am eager to begin, and equally eager to discover where we end!