The Granite Hills High School boys tennis team is buoyed by six returners this spring in what coach Patty Tibbitts refers to as a “rebuilding” season for the Eagles.
“Coming into the season after losing four top seniors to our team, I knew it would be a rebuilding year with over half of the team being juniors,” Tibbitts said.
Granite Hills has experienced its growing pains with a 0-6 start as the current group continues to fit into positions vacated by graduating seniors.
“It’s been a difficult start to the season,” Tibbitts said.
But there are bright spots.
Senior Austin Hanna has played well after moving up to the No. 2 singles position from No. 3 singles last year on varsity.
“He is holding up,” Tibbitts said.
The Eagles have three seniors on this year’s team: Anthony Doroshuk, Yousif Shamoun and Hanna.
Newcomer Pierce Meyers, a junior, has done very well at playing No. 1 singles, according to Tibbitts.
“Pierce is a strong player with more finesse than power,” the Granite Hills coach said. “He has been the highlight of our team, not just by being a great player, but also by helping others on the team, helping them to become a better player.”
The Eagles have dropped matches against University City (5-13), Santana (0-18), Grossmont (4-14), Valhalla (6-12), Monte Vista (6-12) and Point Loma (2-16).
Meyers had three wins in the loss to Valhalla and two wins in three sets against Grossmont.
The future looks bright.
“Many of the players who are coming up from junior varsity are finding their way,” Tibbitts assessed. “But they are all so enthusiastic about the game of tennis and will be a team to be reckoned with come next spring.”
