FALL SPORTS
C12
THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH
FRIDAY, AUGUST 28, 2020
Blank heads up returners for NPHS tennis
id underclassman contingent. “Our junior class has quite a bit of experience — guys who have played all three years,” Hall said. “I think they’ll be battling for some varsity posi- tions, too. “We have a bunch of great kids on this team and they have been working hard,” Hall said. “They come in (to practice) with the right mental attitude to work on the things that (coach- es) want them to get better at.” Blank said experience is just one of the strengths of the Bulldogs squad. “I feel we have a lot of heart this year,” Blank said. “How far we get this year will depend on how we compete as a team.” The question is where that will lead when the matches be- gin. Hall said a number of play- ers have individual and team goals for the season but added that just playing is an accom- plishment this year. “Successful season is getting into Week 1 of actual compe- tition and being able to play,” Hall said. “A successful season for us is going to be not getting shut down. I want these kids to be able to play an entire season and get an opportunity to play at a state tournament.”
By TIM JOHNSON tim.johnson@nptelegraph.com Landon Blank is coming off an appearance in the Class A boys state high school tennis tournament and has his sights set on getting back there again this season. “That’s the end point,” the Bulldogs senior said earlier this month. “What’s the point without state? That’s how I see it.” Blank paired with Ethan Mercer and lost in a opening round matchup at doubles. Where Blank plays this year — either singles or doubles — might change over the course of the fall. “He might be No. 1 singles or at No. 1 doubles. We have to take into account right now (with the lineup).” Bulldogs coach Dale Hall said. Hall noted the guidelines with the coronavirus pan- demic. With the COVID-19 risk factor heightened to an orange level — elevated risk — in Lincoln County, it means doubles partners can not be switched out until the level de- creases. “We really have to evalu- ate (the roster) and make sure we are getting the right guys together before we make any
Telegraph file photo Ethan Mercer is one of the top returning players for the North Platte High School tennis team.
Blank and Mercer high- light the key returnees for a Bulldogs team that did gradu- ate a decent amount of players from last year’s squad. Callen Zurn has been a member of the program since his freshman year as well and is joined by fel- low seniors Hayden Thatcher and Cooper McIntosh. The Bulldogs also have a sol-
every day and focused on that to get more consistent and power on (the serves). “That was my main focus but I worked on improving on everything — backhands, fore- hands, volleys,” Blank said. “I worked with my coach to do that. It’s just that practice and repetition. That’s the key to improving.”
(lineup) decisions like that,” Hall said. Blank’s approach and prepa- ration remained the same for the season that opens Friday with an invitational at the Koch Family Tennis Center in Omaha. “I really wanted to work on my serves this summer,” Blank said. “I went out almost
TENNIS SCHEDULES
Oct. 2........................................................ at Beatrict Invite Oct. 6....................................... at Kearney Catholic (Dual) McCook Aug. 28. .................................... at Kearney Catholic Quad Aug. 29. ....................................................... McCook Invite Sept. 3. ............................................................. at Hastings Sept. 11...........................................................at York Invite Sept. 12. ............................................ at North Platte Invite Sept. 14. .........................................at Kearney Catholic Tri Sept. 15. ..............................................................Lexington Sept. 18. ................................................at Lexington Invite Sept. 22........................................................... North Platte Sept. 24. .............................................................. Holdrege Oct. 3................................................ at GNAC, Scottsbluff Oct. 6............................................................ at Ogallala Tri Oct. 8........................................................... at North Platte Oct. 9................................................................. at Beatrice
North Platte Aug. 28. ......................... at Papillion-La-Vista Tournament Sept. 4. ................................................ at Scottsbluff Invite Sept. 5. ...............................................at Scottsbluff (Dual) Sept. 11...............................................Alliance, Scottsbluff Sept. 12. ................................................ North Platte Invite Sept. 15. ................................................. at Kearney (Dual) Sept. 18. ........................................... Nat Lexingaton Invite Sept. 21. ........at Papillion-La-Vista Monarch Tennis Invite Sept. 22.............................................................at McCook Sept. 25.................................................. at Hastings Invite Sept. 29............................................... at Lexington (Dual) Oct. 3................................................ GNAC, at Scottsbluff Oct. 8................................................at North Platte (Dual) Oct. 10..................................................... at McCook Invite Lexington Aug. 27. ..................................................... Hastings (Dual) Aug. 28. ..................................................Scottsbluff (Dual) Aug. 29. ................................................... at McCook Invite Sept. 3. ................................................................at York Tri Sept. 5. ................................................. at Columbus Invite Sept. 10. ................................................. at Kearney (Dual) Sept. 12. ............................................ at North Platte Invite Sept. 15. ............................................................at McCook Sept. 18. ....................................................Lexington Invite Sept. 22...................................................... Adams Central Sept. 29................................................... at Kearney Invite
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