Tennis team ready to get back in the swing of things

Tennis has always been little brother in Red Hook. But with a troupe of talented young players and the help of the growing popularity of a local tennis club, Red Hook varsity boys tennis head coach Tim Rogers is confident in his team’s chances this year.

“The majority of our lineup last year was freshmen, and they have all returned,” Rogers told The Observer. “Our team is young and hungry.”

Freshman Jonas Lindholm-Uzzi will be anchoring the 11-man team this year, having nabbed the No. 1 singles spot in the preseason. He will be followed by Joe Bryant, a player who, according to Rogers, “trained hard in the off-season and is a very consistent player with endless charisma.” Bryant will be one of two captains this spring, along with senior Brian Messmer. Messmer will also fill half of the starting doubles team.

Messmer will be without doubles partner Andy Guerrino, who has graduated and with whom, Rogers said,, Messmer had a “certain winning synergy.”

“Practices have been focused so far this year with some strong competition for placement. My only concern is how the doubles teams will gel,” Rogers said.

Rogers noted that the Rhinebeck Tennis Club, and Rhinebeck Tennis Club instructor Shawn Holzmann, who works with team members, have been a “catalyst for tennis’ increase in popularity in Red Hook.”

“I feel that tennis is carving out a little space for itself in Red Hook, and if we can string a couple of winning seasons together, it will help,” said Rogers.

Rogers said that Section IX competition is more even across the board this year, and that his team is strong from “top to bottom.”

The Red Hook tennis team was to open their season at home against Wallkill on April 9. Their next game is April 11 at Saugerties at 4:15pm.

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