Transcript
Joining us on coaches corner KWBG get a chance to put a wrap on boon boys tennis season Jed Hammond joining us Torridors Another strong season I could talk about all the accolades to get started and that would be the easiest way to do this But Jed, let's go back to the beginning of this season because we knew we had what we had coming back this year But I don't know if we knew how the pieces were gonna fall together What'd you think before before you really got into that first duel? What did you think this team could accomplish? You know, I I thought we were for sure a top-16 team Like I I believe that what we had coming back was a was a unit that would play in a sub-state final To be honest at the beginning of the year, you know, I'm not sure that I saw it as a as a top-8 program We just lost so many pieces from the year before and we just had so much inexperience But we had had a lot of kids that put, you know, just a ton of time in 138 U.S. team matches in the off-season You know, 1500 hours of court time combined amongst those kids I mean they put in the time and and so, you know, I knew good things would Would come if they just continued to be able to keep learning as the season moved along Of course, we had some hiccups along the way with injuries and illnesses that added to some of our Disruptions in our season, but again through it all we just you know We kept moving forward even in the messy moments. And so that's what I'm most proud of I think this group of young men You know, they never gave up even when things got tough at different times throughout the season we never threw in the towel and and they were rewarded as it came down the stretch I think what normally we talk about next is Okay, when did you feel like you could get a doubles team to stay? When did you feel like this team could be you know at the state tournament? Jed? I'm gonna be honest with you I'm gonna answer for you here There couldn't have been that time where you felt like this is absolutely gonna happen because you had so many ups and downs this spring Yeah, you know, there were times there'd be a meet where I'd be like, oh, yeah We're headed in the right direction and then then then there would be a setback, you know an injury or we'd have an illness or you know And so so then you'd start to question things or you're changing up the lineup again And so, you know, I knew what we had when we were fully healthy and when everyone was playing at their full You know fully at their best capabilities But very rarely did we get all of that on the same night And so it continued to make my job really challenging Just to continue to try to put out lineups and try to continue to help get you know All peak at the right time and I'll be playing their best tennis at the right time and be healthy And so you're just some challenges that we that we dealt with throughout the season and you know, we we met them head-on I spent more time in the training room doing ice baths and You know Icing shins and all those kinds of things that I've ever done But you know, we we had kids that were willing to put in the time just to get you know rehabilitate and get healthy and So all those things were were important as we went down the stretch And so, you know, I I felt I felt like we we had something there But you know, we until it happened we didn't know if it was gonna happen That's got to be the toughest thing as a team coach and then as a coach as well is You know, okay, this is what it could be if everybody's healthy. There's no illnesses, but This is what we are right now. So the ending was going to be there at some point It was just how the heck do we get to this finish line? Yes, yes And you know, and there were just some there were some great glimpses. We had our awards Last night celebrating the season and you know some of the highlighted memories that I come back You know, we were down to Ford and Norwalk middle in the season after singles And you know, we come back and win four out of five doubles and win that meet I mean that told me right there the the the grit that this team had You know another me to the first time we played Ballard It's three three after singles and again We win four out of five doubles matches that to secure the win there, too And so again, it just showed me the grit that we had and that we could do hard things in difficult situations Which was something I wasn't sure that this young team was capable of doing because they hadn't really been put into those moments yet And so those were moments where I started to really feel like okay We if we get put into the right and we get everybody healthy. I think we can I think we can make it back to team state I think we can get a double team And those were the moments where I started to kind of see the light there like oh we can we can perform in High high situations. So well, you do get a doubles team that that makes it to state and I thought Strummer and Calvin it was definitely not an easy portion on the bracket man They had a heck of a fight though in that second match didn't they they sure did You know a tough draw to come out central to it was very good They went on to place the the next day And then you know, we played the second Wallard team and why we were right there And that team ends up finishing fifth in state. So, you know, we win that super tiebreaker Who knows, you know, we're headed to day two and maybe maybe we finished fifth. So we were we were really close a lot of great Experience game for those two young guys who will get to come back for their senior campaign next year So I know they were disappointed with not winning a match down there But I was not disappointed in the effort that they showed and the poise that they showed and I do think that They're gonna be rewarded next season And I think they'll have an opportunity to Not only just be at the state tournament, but I think they'll be placing so Substate semi-finals you blank Atlantic and team tennis coach and then you and Ballard get together and Boy, I know you and I have talked over the years about some classic matches that you guys have had not just you and Ballard But you period and that Ballard one that might have to go in your in your in your top couple of lists there, sir Yeah, I don't know that I'll ever forget that meet so many So many momentum changes You know this year in the postseason we started doubles first the first time we played Ballard We swept all three doubles from them. They had since since the first time we played it They changed up their doubles linemen a little bit And so we knew we were gonna be up for a fight to to get all three But we were really hoping to be up to one and you know There was a moment during doubles where it looked like we were gonna win all three and then there was a moment We're look like we were gonna lose all three and then you know it comes out that we end up getting one And so we're down one two And so momentum is definitely in Ballard's favor, but you know my boys didn't They weren't they weren't worried I mean I still remember having that meeting and they were like we can win four singles like we were good like we're gonna be just fine and So that was a good a good thing to see out of my guys as we kind of circled the wagons before we put the singles matches out and You know they singles didn't start out great for us, you know Logan Wickman had a good start and and Cal Jordan had a good start, but outside that the other four were we were down a set and It it did not look great. There was a you know a moment in that meet where we're down It's it's 2-4 and Ballard just needs to score They need one more to send their team to state and we have three matches on the court and The battle the the grit the team the teams like just the team atmosphere like as guys got done with their matches They went and were cheering on at other courts. They were just so engaged like it really was the team Atmosphere that you want to see it team tennis And so it was just such a really cool experience both Ballard side and Boone side It was just such a great great meets great sportsmanship and and then you know just one by one You know Calvin Calvin wins and straight sets and now it's 3-4 and then strummer comes back and dominates in his super tiebreaker And and now it's 4-4 and and and at the same time that happened Patrick has secured the second set and he's forcing that super tiebreaker And so we're not it up 4-4 and you know, I just never walking over to Patrick and he's like I got this coach I got this and and you said okay did yep And he did and he you know He started out a really great approach and was a little bit conservative to start with and and then you know Got himself a lead and and then got a little bit more aggressive and was able to win that super tiebreaker 10-4 and Secure our victory and that's two years in a row that Patrick has been the fifth point To send us the state so pretty cool experience for him to be able to do that twice But just to see how the kids reacted and how they were all at his court and everybody ran out Just that atmosphere just really sums up what our program is about And how we're we're there for for everybody and it's not just a individual sport We really do see it as a team sport and and so that was a really cool moment to see that and for them to celebrate So definitely a meet I'm gonna remember for a long time. There's some people took some different videos I'm really excited that and I've kept those and got them saved in my computer file so that I can relive those down the years 10th consecutive trip to team state finish up the year 14 and 5 Jed the the big one that I was looking at not that those numbers aren't huge, but 10 letter winners will return Next season 80 or top 10 I know you these kids are busy and other stuff and I know that they'll be busy with tennis But man you got to be pretty pumped already for 20 27 Yeah, I am It is it should be a really exciting year a couple of the gonna be seniors last night in my cards that Get ready for next season coach and so they're excited and And I'm excited and you know, we've got some work We know we've got some things we need to get better at we we see some things that we were exposed a little bit this season That we know we need to put some emphasis to Here in the offseason and and we will we will do that. So we're getting busy right away. I've got 14 guys headed up to Warburg Sunday the 14th. We're going up for a team camp up there for the day Kind of an annual thing we work with their head coach and have for a few years So I'm gonna get started there. We'll get our Sunday night program up and running Where I'll be out here working with kids and I know I already have some kids that have signed up for some tournaments this summer already So we're already kids already churns the gear and are actively working for the 2027 season and it's that attitude It's that commitment that makes them tennis what it is. It's it's not about what I who I am or what I do It's about what these young men are willing to do in the offseason That's that's just so huge and they are a lot of them are multi sports And so they're finding ways to be able to still do their other sports Along with keeping our racket in their hands on a weekly basis and and that's just huge Just huge and so yeah, we're excited I mean, I would think that everything I've heard is the guys want to be a top four team next year That's their that's their goal and and that's what they're aiming for so not a bad goal to have by the way I know the next time we'll talk about tennis Well, we'll be at sometime this summer I'll shit see you umpiring and then you'll find me in like December or something weird where there'll be nine inches of Snow on the ground and you'll go hey guess what we got like six guys going to play tennis at such and such camp This is what Jed does to me during like December or January. He'll find and tell me this so We it's so exciting that I have kids that want to play year-round and they want to be engaged And so and so it's such an important thing And if I continue to have kids that are willing to do that that are willing to put rackets in their hand the winner They're willing to go play tournament. Those are going to lead to success not just not just next year But season's moving forward and so that's So that is uh, it's just such an important part of of who we have become in our program And so it makes me proud as a coach because I don't even have to like recruit kids to do this anymore They just they openly and want to go do this and they're the ones sending me like hey coach Did you see this tournament? Hey push this out for the other guys. Mm-hmm. So those are things that make you pretty excited as a coach But you don't have to even do any motivating you said kids that are wanting to get better and work hard Yeah, you do. Yeah, you do. Jed. Thank you so much for another great to spring a lot of fun this spring as always and We'll look forward to talking with you about tennis coming up in 2027 Sounds good. Thanks so much for the coverage and all the support Ryan You bet Jed Hammond again joining us boon boys tennis here on coaches corner
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