The Indian and Maiden tennis team played the fall season in a new district with a new coach.

“I hope to create a tennis dynasty,” tennis Coach Kevin Gersbach said. “We definitely have a long way to go to get there, but we are headed in the right direction.”

Gersbach began playing tennis his freshman year of high school and  competed at state all four years.

“Coach Gersbach’s experience would be a great opportunity for me to learn new fundementals,” junior Michelle Guevara Gonzalez said. “With his help, making it as far as he did would be beyond amazing.”

Most of  the tennis players dealt with the coaching situation pretty well since they already knew Gersbach.

“I’ve known him since fifth grade,” sophomore Chris Owen said. “I didn’t have any adjusting to do.”

Indians and Maidens saw improvement as the season progressed to its current 3-5 tournament record.

“I handled the coaching situation pretty well,” Guevara Gonzalez  said. “I, as well as my team, are improving a lot more.”

Knowing that former team members and regional qualifiers Easton Swinnea and Aubrey Owen wouldn’t be part of the team this season due to moving away, the tennis team had some stepping up to do.

“Going to regionals would be a big accomplishment,” C. Owen said. “I want to go further than they did.”

Another situation the Indians and Maidens faced was a new district.

“My biggest concern is not necessarily with the district we are competing in,” Gersbach said. “It’s the season that we are competing in.”

Specifically the fall tennis concerned him.

“Fall tennis needs a full team on both the boys’ and girls’ side to be able to compete,” Gersbach said. “Not having a full team on my boys side is our biggest downfall.”

Five males short with two Indians for a full team, Gersbach hopes to build a strong junior high program for the future.

“Just give us time,” Gersbach said. “It’s going to take time to rebuild this tennis team and create a good program.”

RESULTS OF OCT. 11 FORT STOCKTON TOURNAMENT

Women’s Singles

Suzy Melius (FS) over junior Sadie Wheeter, 6-1, 6-0, sophomore Debbie Froese over Maritza Sanchez (FS) 7-6 (6), 7-6 (2), Taylor Hansard (FS) over sophomore Nancy Funk, 4-6, 6-0, 10-6, Bree Ortega (FS) over sophomore Monique Zamora, 6-3, 6-2, Arlynn Hernandez (FS) over junior Michelle Guevara Gonzalez 6-2, 4-6, 10-8, Dayla Whaley (FS) over freshman Alondra Gonzales 6-0, 6-2, Katia Villarreal (FS) over freshman Brooke Langham 6-0, 6-1, Carime Villarreal (FS) over freshman Alejandra Segovia 6-1, 6-1, Paloma Sivstre (FS) over freshman Clarissa Flores 6-0, 6-0

Men’s Singles

Joseph Diaz (FS) over sophomore Chris Owen 6-0, 6-3

Women’s Doubles

Melius/Ortega (FS) over Froese/Weeler 6-1, 6-3, Sanchez/Whaley (FS) 6-4, 6-2, Gonzales/Guevara Gonzalez over Villarreal/Hansard (FS) 8-4