By Grant Barrett, Ad Astra Radio
McPHERSON, Kan. – There will be some big shoes to fill on the McPherson High Boys Tennis team this season, replacing a senior class that included five state qualifiers from a season ago.
Kaden McVicker returns as the lone senior, along with being the one returning state qualifier for the Bullpups, who finished second in Class 4A in 2022. Head Coach Tyler Brown said, “With graduating so many seniors last year, we have some underclassmen that will have to step up this year and prove they belong on the varsity stage.”
Coach Brown begins his 10th season as the MHS Boys Tennis Coach, with the goal of sending a couple of entries to state, if not all four entries. Brown was optimistic, saying, “I think it will be tough for all four entries to make it, but you never know.” he said, “The guys are excited and ready to see how they stack up with the rest of 4A.” Coach Brown mentioned the door being wide-open, observing that 15 out of the 24 state entries graduated in singles, and 14 out of the 24 state entries graduated in at least half of their doubles team.
The Bullpups open the season on Tuesday, with one of two home invitationals. They will have a number of tournaments that feature some of the top teams in each class.
Below is the complete varsity schedule:
3/28 Invitational @ McPherson High School 3:00 pm
3/30 Meet @ Conway Springs 3:00 pm
4/6 Invitational @ Andover 3:00 pm
4/8 Invitational @ Goddard 8:30 am
4/15 Invitational @ McPherson High School 10 am
4/18 Invitational @ Buhler 1:00 pm
4/20 Invitational @ Maize 1:00 pm
4/22 Invitational @ Valley Center 9:00 am
4/25 Invitational @ Hesston 9:30 am
5/1 AVCTL @ Wichita 10:00 am
5/5 Regional @ TBD 10:00 am
5/12 State @ Pratt 10:00 am
5/13 State @ Pratt 9:00 am
*Dates via www.avctl.org as of 3/27/23
