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- Subscribe - Contact Us - Rate Card - Place an Ad Valley&State Backpage O&E Sports Archives Classifieds Faith&Beliefs Obituaries Revels March 31, 2004 Grizz boys aiming to repeat By Joe Zavala Ashland Daily Tidings The Ashland High boys' tennis team will have to overcome some serious losses to graduation in order to repeat as Southern Oregon Conference district champions. The Grizzlies are aiming to do just that, one point at a time. "That's our goal," Grizz coach Dick Streng said, "to compete and see if we can do a back-to-back season, which is a lofty goal. We're pretty young, we don't have the skill level that we've had the last couple of years and we don't have the power, so it's trying to find a blend to live up to our motto of 'one more time' - keep the ball in play longer than our opponent." Ashland (2-1) begins that quest Thursday at Hunter Park, where the Grizzlies are scheduled to play their SOC-opener against the Grants Pass Cavemen. While the Grizzlies play for a repeat, the rest of the SOC will be looking for payback. Ashland rolled through conference play in 2003, finishing with a perfect 14-0 dual meet record before capturing the SOC district tournament in dominating fashion. The Grizzlies will be hard-pressed to duplicate that magical run. Gone are Ashland's top two singles players (Michael James and Jonathan Willing) as well as three of the four parts that made up the Grizzlies' top two doubles teams. The good news for the Grizzlies is that junior lefty Evan Schleining returns for another shot at state. Schleining, who teamed up with Ari Zaslow to make the 4A state semifinals last season, will play No. 1 singles this time around and has the potential to challenge North Medford's Tyler Wilson for the SOC title. "He's got a big left-handed serve, he's got beautiful ground strokes and he's putting together very good game plans," Streng said. "I think he will be able to challenge (Wilson). They practiced a bit together; he's been close, so you never know." Also for the Grizzlies, senior Jer-wei Chang will take over the No. 2 singles spot, junior Miles Rooklyn will play third singles and freshman Kyle Lachmund is starting at fourth singles. Back for more Chang played singles most of last season and adds an experienced, steady presence at the top of the Grizzlies' lineup. Streng says he'll only get better. "He's playing very consistently and he's developed some new skills that he's trying to put together," Streng said. Rooklyn and Lachmund should also play tough at their respective positions, which are often keys to dual meet success. At doubles, the Grizzlies will likely go with the tandem of Ross Mather and Cory Lescher at the top spot. Other doubles teams that will likely see plenty of action include Jonathon Weighter and Gabe Hoxmeier along with Jack Turner and Ian Dean. Nick Spurlock and Brendan Curry should also see playing time for the Grizzlies. The Girls The AHS girls' tennis team is also the defending SOC district champ. The Grizzlies, who open their SOC season Thursday at Grants Pass, are led by returning No. 1 singles player Kayla Moyse, who took second in the district meet last season. Moyse is expected to challenge for a district title, as is Ashland's top doubles team of Kate Morris and Chelsea Van Lehn. The Grizzly girls are coached by Karl Carstensen. SOC dual meets will take on a slightly different form this season. In an attempt to conform to the rest of the state, the league has cut its nine-match dual format to eight - four singles matches and four doubles. Set and game scores will be used to break 4-4 ties. DailyTidings.com Home Page Valley&State | Backpage | O&E | Sports | Archives | Weather | Classifieds Columnists | Faith&Beliefs | Obituaries | Revels | Subscribe | Contact Us Copyright 2004 Ashland Daily Tidings and Ottaway Newspapers All Rights Reserved Click Here Site Search: .:Advertisements:. RESOURCES - Mail Tribune News - ODOT Road Cams