Tennis: Tigers haul in tennis awards

It may have come about four months late, but in the end a little bit more history was made for the Douglas High tennis program.

While tennis coaches around the Northern 4A selected their all-region teams immediately after the fall season, the 2009 postseason Player of the Year and Coach of the Year awards were not released with them, despite it having been tradition in the recent past.

After a lengthy delay, Douglas picked up three of the individual awards.

Douglas sophomore James TenBroeck, who won the Northern 4A and NIAA State championships with a 20-0 record on the year, was named the boys' Player of the Year.

His sister, Kari, won the Northern 4A girls' singles title in a closely-contested match against teammate Amelia Ritger and posted a 38-3 record overall on the year. She was named the girls' Player of the Year.

Girls' team coach Roger Rusmisel was named the region's Coach of the Year after leading the Tigers to an unbeaten regular season and Sierra League title. Douglas later advanced to Northern 4A team championship match against Reno, losing narrowly.

Through three years at the helm of the girls' program, Rusmisel's team have posted a record of 27-8 in dual matches.

With the steadily-increasing success of the program (Douglas has now produced four individual champions in the last three years), the Tigers seem to be on their way toward establishing themselves as one of the high-end tennis schools in Northern Nevada.

Much of the recent success can be attributed to the offseason workout and voluntary practice sessions available for team members and any newcomers who wish to join.

Rusmisel offers a conditioning program for the girls' team on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. at the high school. Wednesdays are scheduled for on-court practice, free instruction, and the use of the school's new ball machine.

For upcoming boys' team activities, contact coach Rod Smith at 265-2345.