As the snow melts and spring arises, so does the Park High Tennis team. This year the team is looking at a big change, a new head coach. Carren Jakobik is the face of Park High Tennis this year, as she begins her first ever season as a head coach.
Although Jacobik may not have much coaching experience, she has been around Park High Tennis a lot in the past. Her daughter, Kepler Jacobik, has been a varsity player for the previous three years. She will now play her final high school season with her mother as coach. “I’m excited to have her (Carren) as a coach. It will be lots of fun, but at the same time I’m a little nervous to have my mom at every practice,” said Kepler.
Coach Jacobik takes over from Kandy Chain, a USPTA tennis pro, who has been the Park High Tennis coach since 2013. She retired from the head coaching position after last season’s conclusion. Hoping to get out and play in more tournaments herself, Chain will not be able to be in Livingston for the entirety of this year’s season. However, she is still helping out when she can, always willing to hit with any tennis player.
Kandy’s husband, Lloyd Chain, is Jacobik’s assistant. He has been coaching Park High Tennis with his wife since 2014. Lloyd will continue to help out at practices and meets, bringing all of his experience to the court.
The numbers for this year’s tennis team are substantially more than previous years. There are 18 girls and ten boys on the active roster. Perhaps thanks to Coach Jacobik’s enthusiastic attitude or the no cut program, these numbers will help the team accomplish the goals they hope to achieve. Some players to watch this season include seniors Kepler Jacobik, Analeece Fredrickson, and Logan Jergenson.
Kepler hopes to make it to the state tournament for her first time while Jergenson hopes to return to state. Jergenson has made it to the tournament the previous two years, both with doubles partner Houston Dunn, who graduated last year. “This will be my first year playing singles. It’s not what I’m used to, but I hope I can still make it past divisionals,” said Jergenson. As for Fredrickson, she hopes to have a fun last season coming off of ongoing injuries.
To even out the three seniors on the team, there is also for the first time ever in Park High history, an eighth grader on the tennis team, and not just one, but three. From Pine Creek School, Tyler Schad will be on the varsity boys team. However, the girls will have to win their way into the varsity line up, as a varsity roster suits 10. Both from Sleeping Giant Middle School, Della McCann and Harper Baxter look to begin their high school sport careers early.
The Park High Tennis team is ready for an exciting season. With a great mix of experienced players, fresh faces, and support from all the coaches, the Rangers are looking to make this season a success. They will travel to Hardin, MT for the divisional tournament on May 15th to test what they have learned this year.