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get to the game? Don't worry, we've got ya covered.
Newcomers have tennis coach ready to serve
8/27/2008
By RANDY GONZALES
rgonzales@dailynews.net
With just two players returning from last year's squad, Fort Hays State University tennis coach Brian Flax welcomes a host of newcomers this year.
"I'm very excited," Flax said. "Look at the numbers -- a lot of young people on the squad.
"A lot of teaching, a big teaching year. I sense excitement I haven't seen in a while," he added.
When asked if he had an idea on who will play where, Flax replied: "Absolutely not."
"I'm like a high school coach who sees his varsity team for the first time, and it's all freshmen and sophomores walking in," Flax said.
Flax does have back sophomores Jennifer Lamb and Kelly Smidt, who each saw action last year.
"In the fall, Jennifer was about sixth and Kelly, eighth," in singles and/or doubles, Flax said. "With the injuries, by March they played a lot of varsity in the conference season."
Among the newcomers, Flax has high hopes for freshman Krista Lindsey, who played for Goddard High School.
"Krista Lindsey played ... (in) the Wichita area, a competitive area," Flax said. "She has a little more experience as far as bigger competition."
Northwest Missouri State is usually the team to beat in the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association; this year could be more of the same.
"They've advanced quite a ways in the last couple national tournaments," said Flax, adding the Bearcats return most of their roster, including one of the best players in the nation.
In a way, this season is like it was when Flax -- entering his 13th year -- took over the program for the first time.
"It's been a while," Flax said. "This is how you start. We're looking forward to it; you've go to build and keep these kids, continue to get better."
| Scoreboard | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Sport | Date | Opponent | Score |
| BB | 03/17 | Missouri S&T | W 2-1 (10) |
| SB | 03/17 | Bethany | W 6-1 |
| SB | 03/17 | Bethany | W 8-1 |
| BB | 03/16 | Misosuri S&T | L 13-4 |
| MB | 03/14 | Central Missouri | L 80-73 |
| BB | 3/13 | NW Missouri | W 13-10 |
| BB | 03/13 | NW Missouri | W 4-3 |
| MB | 03/13 | Central Oklahoma | W 80-64 |
| SB | 03/08 | Fort Lewis | W 5-4 |
| BB | 03/07 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 13-7 |
| BB | 03/06 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 16-4 |
| BB | 03/06 | No. 9 Emporia State | W 3-0 |
| MB | 03/05 | Emporia State | L 65-61 |
| BB | 03/05 | No. 9 Emporia State | L 10-3 |
| WB | 03/04 | No. 15 Emporia | L 72-66 |
| WB | 02/28 | No. 12 Emporia State | L 87-80 |
| MB | 02/28 | Emporia State | W 94-47 |
| SB | 02/28 | Quincy | L 6-0 |
| SB | 02/27 | Mo Southern | W 9-3 |
| SB | 02/27 | Missouri S&T | L 8-3 |