Monday morning the Kansas Tennis Coaches Association preseason poll came out. The Wellington girls were ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. Only one school was picked above them in the state of Kansas: Topeka Hayden.
Before the poll came out, Brian Aufdengarten, Wellington head tennis coach, wasn't so sure about the rankings.
"Someone told me they were going to pick us No. 1," Aufdengarten said. "I don't think so. We've had do many injuries over the off season.
"And the thing about tennis, things can change on a dime."
Even when the season isn't in session.
Wellington had what appeared to be a rather rough off-season, after the Crusaders finished fourth at the Class 4A state tournament in Topeka.
The No. 1 Wellington doubles teams of 2009 which finished second in state last year as juniors, nearly dissolved during the offseason.
Luckily, Lexis Hibbs and Kaitlyn Buck, now seniors, are back, for what they hope is a big year.
Trouble is their senior year may be a lot tougher than their junior years. During the off-season both suffered knee injuries that at one point appeared as if it was going to sideline them both for most if not all of the tennis season.
Hibbs tore her ACL on a skiing trip in March. She was expected to be out six months which would have put her in the middle of September. Instead, she is practicing with the girls this week.
"It's still going to be tender," Aufdengarten said. "It's best if she eases herself back into the lineup."
Buck had a softball injury to her knee this summer. But thankfully that wasn't nearly as serious.
As far as the rest, Wellington appears to be in good shape, real good shape.
"I think we have 10 girls on this team, who could be impact varsity players someplace else," Aufdengarten said. "But because they are here they might not even get into the varsity lineup."
Not that he won't try. Wellington's 2010 schedule is the most loaded in its history with 14 tournaments in two months. And since a girl can only play eight tournaments during the regular season, that means several will be playing.
A lot of those tournaments will be on Saturdays including two Wichita Collegiate “tournament of champion” type tournaments. On one weekend, the Wellington varsity will be in two different locations at the same time.
The first tournament this weekend in Collegiate will be the toughest Wellington will be playing in all year - including state - with powerhouses in Class 6A and 5A.
Wellington has 18 players out for the sport.
No. 1 singles player Erianne Adams, a junior, is returning as the first singles player to place in the top four at state since Terri Saunders did it in 1980. She went 25-12 in 2009.
Dani Anderson, a junior, who also made state, is expected to play again in singles, after going 23-9 in 2009. Aufdengarten said that may change as he jockeys the lineup.
In doubles, Sara Peck, a senior; and Kailey Jenkins, a sophomore, have been playing quite a bit of tennis together.
Sydney Lipton and Hannah Tazkargy, both seniors, should see playing time at varsity.
Whether Wellington is as successful as some people are indicating, will, of course, be answered by time.
"There's a lot that can happen between now and the post season," Aufdengarten said.
A lot of what determines Wellington's fate depends on things beyond their control. The Crusaders won't know about their regional until next month and there are several schools that are hovering between Class 4A and 3A.
Private schools like Wichita Collegiate, Wichita Independent and Wichita Trinity could be part of either classification and even Hesston, ranked No. 4 in the 4A preseason poll could find itself in 3A after enrollment figures are released in late September.
"I think what will be different this season compared to years past is we were always under everyone's radar," he said. "But now we will be hunted.
"We have a lot of work to do, because this season is going to be tough."
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Monday morning the Kansas Tennis Coaches Association preseason poll came out. The Wellington girls were ranked No. 2 in Class 4A. Only one school was picked above them in the state of Kansas: Topeka Hayden.
Before the poll came out, Brian Aufdengarten, Wellington head tennis coach, wasn't so sure about the rankings.
"Someone told me they were going to pick us No. 1," Aufdengarten said. "I don't think so. We've had do many injuries over the off season.
"And the thing about tennis, things can change on a dime."
Even when the season isn't in session.
Wellington had what appeared to be a rather rough off-season, after the Crusaders finished fourth at the Class 4A state tournament in Topeka.
The No. 1 Wellington doubles teams of 2009 which finished second in state last year as juniors, nearly dissolved during the offseason.
Luckily, Lexis Hibbs and Kaitlyn Buck, now seniors, are back, for what they hope is a big year.
Trouble is their senior year may be a lot tougher than their junior years. During the off-season both suffered knee injuries that at one point appeared as if it was going to sideline them both for most if not all of the tennis season.
Hibbs tore her ACL on a skiing trip in March. She was expected to be out six months which would have put her in the middle of September. Instead, she is practicing with the girls this week.
"It's still going to be tender," Aufdengarten said. "It's best if she eases herself back into the lineup."
Buck had a softball injury to her knee this summer. But thankfully that wasn't nearly as serious.
As far as the rest, Wellington appears to be in good shape, real good shape.
"I think we have 10 girls on this team, who could be impact varsity players someplace else," Aufdengarten said. "But because they are here they might not even get into the varsity lineup."
Not that he won't try. Wellington's 2010 schedule is the most loaded in its history with 14 tournaments in two months. And since a girl can only play eight tournaments during the regular season, that means several will be playing.
A lot of those tournaments will be on Saturdays including two Wichita Collegiate “tournament of champion” type tournaments. On one weekend, the Wellington varsity will be in two different locations at the same time.
The first tournament this weekend in Collegiate will be the toughest Wellington will be playing in all year - including state - with powerhouses in Class 6A and 5A.
Wellington has 18 players out for the sport.
No. 1 singles player Erianne Adams, a junior, is returning as the first singles player to place in the top four at state since Terri Saunders did it in 1980. She went 25-12 in 2009.
Dani Anderson, a junior, who also made state, is expected to play again in singles, after going 23-9 in 2009. Aufdengarten said that may change as he jockeys the lineup.
In doubles, Sara Peck, a senior; and Kailey Jenkins, a sophomore, have been playing quite a bit of tennis together.
Sydney Lipton and Hannah Tazkargy, both seniors, should see playing time at varsity.
Whether Wellington is as successful as some people are indicating, will, of course, be answered by time.
"There's a lot that can happen between now and the post season," Aufdengarten said.
A lot of what determines Wellington's fate depends on things beyond their control. The Crusaders won't know about their regional until next month and there are several schools that are hovering between Class 4A and 3A.
Private schools like Wichita Collegiate, Wichita Independent and Wichita Trinity could be part of either classification and even Hesston, ranked No. 4 in the 4A preseason poll could find itself in 3A after enrollment figures are released in late September.
"I think what will be different this season compared to years past is we were always under everyone's radar," he said. "But now we will be hunted.
"We have a lot of work to do, because this season is going to be tough."
