Taking 2nd in Regionals and in All-Conference
By: Makayla Cook
The 1971 boys’ tennis season went really well, ending with a 10-6 record; they also finished 2nd in Regionals and in the All-Conference. The boys were coached by Wayne Tanis (He now has the Tanis Invitational/Invite named after him). Among the players, Larry Grotenhuis (Senior) and Dean Ellens (Junior) stood out most because they were undefeated in doubles in league dual matches and at All-Conference meets. Larry Grotenhuis was also chosen “Most Valuable” to the team.
During the season, the team had something they called a “phenomenon” and an “omen”- their first match ended in a 3-2 win, and the last match of the season was also 3-2. Other phenomena were when the score was 5-0 five times in our favor, three times the score was 3-2 (not in our favor), 4-1(in our favor), two times 4-1(not in our favor), and once it was 5-0 (not in our favor). The team and others called it a “phenomenon” and an “omen” because of the pattern in the scores and how their first and last match had the same exact score, which doesn’t happen very often.
Overall, this team had a good season; they may have lost a few matches, but they definitely proved themselves by getting 2nd in Regionals and in the All-Conference meets.
