Kohawk TENNIS--Fall Preview

Classes begin Monday, August 30th, and the Women's Tennis team is just wrapping up their week of pre-season training. We have been getting in two very good workouts each day this week, and the talent on the team is quite evident.

The Iowa Conference looks to be very strong this Fall with four of the top five teams returning 5 of 6 starters. Coe only returns one player, Hannah Jensen, with more than one year of collegiate tennis experience. With the help of new Assistant Coaches, Kris Diehl & Rob Rye, the Ladies are determined to overcome their experience shortage and challenge Luther, Wartburg, Cornell & Central for the Conference Championship. Although the singles order is not yet set, it will be comprised of seniors Hannah Jensen(IC West) & Natalie Bordignon(CR Xavier), sophomores Michelle Schupbach(Waterloo Columbus) & Sara Ohlman(Washington, IL), and first-years Tai Lucero(Odessa, TX Permian) and Elizabeth Hoffmann(CR Xavier). The Lady Kohawks open play up with a Conference double dual on September 4th against Central College and Simpson College. Both matches on the road. A challenging beginning!

The Kohawk Men's Tennis squad will begin their four week Fall season on Labor Day. Although senior Captain, Elliot Rausa(Waterloo Columbus), will be kicking field goals for the nationally ranked football team, there are plenty of talented Kohawks on the courts this Fall. Senior Captain, Scott Stegemann(Davenport Central), after a fine summer of tournament play, leads the returnees. Joining the roster this year will be a record shattering 11 first-years! The Men will compete in an expanded Fall schedule which includes a D1 tournament in Peoria, the Iowa Conference Individual Championships in Cedar Rapids, and the ITA Regional in St Peter, MN. Look for an excellent season from the Men as court time and starting positions will be at a premium!

Greg Janssen named Bates College Assistant Tennis Coach

Greg Janssen, a 2010 Coe College graduate, has been named the Men's & Women's Assistant Tennis Coach at Bates College. Bates is located in Lewiston, Maine and is ranked as the #25 most prestigious liberal arts college in the United States. Greg will working for Paul Gastonguay, their highly respected Head Tennis Coach. Coach Gastonguay, a Bates graduate, has coached National Champions in both Men's Singles and in Men's Doubles in the past five years.

Greg was a four year letterwinner for the Kohawks, Team Captain, and concluded his career as the Iowa Conference Most Valuable Player, finishing first in Individual Singles, and runner-up in Individual Doubles in 2010. Greg also was Academic All-Conference.

Tournament update II

Last weekend was the Iowa Open, Cedar Rapids' big summer USTA tennis event. Many players with Kohawk connections had good results.

Senior Captains Elliot Rausa and Scott Stegemann advanced to the quarters of the prize money singles and teamed up to reach the doubles final losing 11-9 in the Match Tiebreaker to Coe alum Phil Williams and his partner. Sophomores Sara Ohlman and Curtis Newman reached the Mixed semis as did grad Molly Fiala. Molly was in the singles semis as well.

Coach Kris Diehl almost pulled off the elusive Triple Crown winning the Singles and Mixed events easily, only to fall 12-10 in the Super in Women's doubles teamed with Molly Fiala. Somehow, in spite of himself, Coach Rodgers won the Men's 35's.

BTW-this tournament report is brought to you from the Little Missouri River in Theodore Roosevelt NP, Medora, North Dakota.

Only 20 days until Women's practice begins!
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