Working to fill holes in lineup
Ricks takes helm as Connellsville tennis coach The Connellsville boys tennis program will undergo a little bit of a change this spring.
Longtime coach Don Campbell has retired and his assistant Bill Ricks has stepped up to take charge.
“This was not something I expected. I thought Don would be here a little longer,” Ricks said. “I’ve been with the program for about 20 years. I guess it’s time to step out on my own and see what happens.”
Ricks will have some holes to fill in the lineup, especially with the loss of last year’s No. 1 player Scott Campbell, who has graduated.
Ricks does have the benefit of having experience returning to the lineup in Dave Witt, Blake Michaux and Chris Coffman.
“These guys have been around two or three years so they know the game,” he said. “I need them to step up to lead the team and help bring along some of the more inexperienced guys.”
In putting his lineup together, it appears Michaux will fill the No. 1 singles slot, followed by Witt and Coffman at No. 2 and No. 3. Andy Trump is another player who could see some time in singles. Right now the doubles teams shape up with Coffman and Jon Ambrisco at No. 1, and Nick Nagy and Adam Kesh at No. 2.
“I don’t have much depth with only 11 guys on the team,” Ricks said. “There won’t be many exhibition matches for some of the extra guys on the team. I still expect them to work hard and be ready to play when called upon. You never know who could surprise you.”
With the weather breaking, Ricks says his players will have a chance to get outside to get in more running and improve their game.
“I’ve got to get them in a little better shape,” he said. “I also want to see who has enough heart to play and endure and take the criticism. If you have the heart and love the game you’ll give it all you’ve got and not worry.”
Ricks says Section 1-AAA will be highly competitive once again. Returning section champ Hempfield will be strong. Ricks says Latrobe and Franklin Regional will be solid also.
Ricks doesn’t worry about the possibility that some of the players in the section have access to indoor facilities to work on their game. The only thing he is worried about is finding ways to win when his team has the chance to put someone away.
“I don’t think having those facilities gives some kids an advantage,” he says. “Our season runs from the first day of practice to the end of the season. All of ours is outdoors. We’ve won section in the past and we’re going to work to do so again.”
One things Ricks would like to get established is the summer program to attract more athletes to the sport.
“I think if we can expose more kids to tennis it will only work to our benefit,” he says. “There are a lot of athletic kids in the area looking for a sport that fits their abilities. I would like to see more give tennis a try. They might surprise us and themselves.”