Doug Dexheimer Quotations

With the newer guys it's just simply being able to meet the ball in the center of the racket and directing it over the net. With other guys we go beyond that and start thinking about placement, adjusting the pace and the spin.

We have quite a few returning players but we did lose four to graduation - they were some pretty competitive players.

Right now I am having them think about their skill level, what their strengths are, what their weaknesses are. Where they want to be about the mid-point of the season. Where they want to be at the end of the season. It also helps them focus.

I was real pleased with the way our team played against Aberdeen. Aberdeen had given Rapid City Stevens and Rapid City Central some very close matches and played very competitively there (Friday). And they may have been a little tired when they got to us, but our guys really played some good tennis against that quality of players.

I am happy with some of the play. A Couple of the guys had some difficulty (against Sturgis), but they did a good analysis over what caused them problems. They know what to fix and how to get ready for next time.

I am hoping we can get close to that this year and hopefully play a little bit smarter. And be able to play within our own game. Some of the them don't have the best strokes, but be able to play a game that they can win even though they don't have the fanciest strokes and foot work.

I am seeing some improvement, but there are still some areas where we need to buckle down and get a little tougher. It all shows up on the match play.

But we have got some good quality with the returning players.

Basically we are just trying to get better communication as doubles teams and definitely work on getting more consistent on our serves and be able to come in and play some volleys at the net. Our ground strokes aren't looking too bad and the rest of the game is okay. But we are missing some opportunities that are showing up on the scoreboard for us.

I have a good feeling. We have some good athletes and good attitudes.

He (Kopriva) started late in the season but has a done a good job of filling a top position for us. He has been a good addition to the team.

It has always seemed to work and the guys understand that as well.

We have made big strides hitting volleys and getting into the net.

Todd played really well stepping up. He has a good attitude and I thought he did a good job all around.

A lot of the guys have done that and put the time in this past summer and winter and that just makes a huge difference. A lot depends on what was done in the off-season. My hope is that everyone went out and played some during the off-season. That is not always the case.

It will probably be very similar to our Sturgis match. I expect us to have a good competitive match.

A road trip like that where you hop right out of the car and try to play is tough.

For some of them it's actually their first tennis experience.