Alief Elsik High School - Ramblings Yearbook (Houston, TX)

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Most Valuable Player Chris Meinecke Boys Tennis Team: Front: Coach C. Gwynn, R. J. Harr, D. Nguyen, T. Trinh. Back: C. Meinecke. R. Roy. Chris Meinecke follows through on a volley while his doubles partner R.J. Harr returns a volley In the semi-final match at the district tournament. Harr-Mcincckc won the match but lost to the Stratford team, in the background, in the finals match. Photo by M. Splller Boys Tennis District: 3rd Opp. Score Northbrook 90 Westchester 6-3 Spring Branch 7-2 Stratford 5-4 Memorial 90 Spring Woods 8-1 Hastings 8-1 Spring Branch 3-1 Wostchcster 2-2 Northbrook 4-0 Memorial 3-0 Spring Woods 2-2 Stratford 1-2 Boys Tennis 101

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Chris Meineckc follows through on a volley while his doubles partner R.J. Harr gets ready for a possible return. We had a kind of chemistry and worked well together, said Harr. Photo by M. Spiller R.J. Harr prepares to hit an overhead smash. Harr has played tennis since he was elghtand plans tocontinue play in college. Photo by t Spiller Boys Tennis Places 3rd During Erratic Season Harr-Meineke Semi-Finalists at District Meet This match will decide it all for us,” explained R.J. Harr as he prepared to warm up for the District 17-5A Doubles Final. R.J. and his partner Chris Meinecke battled to an early 2-1 lead in the first set. During the remainder of the match tense nerves caused a few minor disputes on line calls and services. Despite a consistent game and skillful maneuvers, they lost the match 6-3, 6-3. This loss placed Elsik 3rd in district. The loss of several key players led to a lower ranking than the previous year. Graduating seniors, ineligible players, and other problems affected a downturn. ”We had two of our best players leave the team right before the district tournament, commented R.J. Harr. Pat Brogan and Philip Mann were the first and second seeds respectively and quit the team. This was Coach Gwynn's last year coaching. She enjoyed tennis and looked on her years of coaching as fun because I enjoy working with young people.” she remarked. She will continue to teach while obtaining a masters degree. She feels that the team has a lot of potential for the following years. They’ll be fresh with a new coach. By E. Hudson. Reporter Pat Brogan returns a ball seed on the team. Photo by during a practice match. Spiller Brogan was the numbor one 100 Boys Tennis

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One of only two freshmen on the team, Kim Berry was under a lot of pressure to help raise the team's district standing from last year's last place finish. The team fin- ished fourth this year, tho highest finish for the team in over throe years. Photo by K. Groves. Depth, Hogue Key To Success When the season started in September for the varsity girls team. Coach Gwynn was still looking for that one player who could make the team a winner. ‘‘I've had more depth on the team this year and that's one of the reasons that we've been so successful.” stated Coach Gwynn. “Some of the younger players have really come along great. With Coach Gwynn's help, they’ve become respectable tennis players.” remarked Michelle South. “The addition of Stephanie Hogue is one of the big reasons for our success,” explained Coach Gwynn about her newest player. Stephanie has been the most successful female player in the team's history, winning district and placing third in the regional meet. Stephanie has many great skills that led her to regionals, but according to her. one stands out above the rest. “The most important part of the game at my level now is the concentration. Most of the girls I compete against in the state are equally as good as each other but the ones with the best concentration win, said Stephanie. The team finished fourth in district, the best finish ever for a varsity girls tennis team. “This is the best girls team I’ve ever had. The girls are all easy to get along with and that makes it fun to coach,” commented Coach Gwynn. By B. Payne, Reporter A top player on the team throughout her high school career, Senior Blair Allen was one of the team leaders and a very consistent playor. Here she returns a serve against a Memorial player. Photo by K. Groves Girls Tennis: Front: Coach Gwynn, J. Rombeau, B. Allen, M. South. A. Kaviani. Back: K. Berry, S. Hogue, M. Bogot, S. Knight, S. Jung. Photo by K. Groves 102 Girls Varsity Tennis