Carson boys tennis has large numbers

Second-year coach Pat Houlihan made the obvious statement when describing his Carson boys tennis team.

"There's a lot of kids," he said. "We're trying to build a program."

With more than 25 players out for this year's team, Houlihan has a large number of players in which to build a program.

"Those who are good enough will play, those who aren't will get better," Houlihan said. "It's a good group of kids."

While Carson has lost many players from last year, Houlihan described this year's team as a club with "a good attitude and good numbers.

"They want to develop into good tennis players. You can't ask for anything more than that."

Houlihan also noted that a total of 15 boys and girls participated consistently in summer workouts. There is a total of about 60 players out for this year's Carson boys and girls tennis teams.

Houlihan hasn't set any specific goals for this year's team. He said his main goal is to teach his players the proper strokes so they can play the game the right way.

"I think my goal to be honest with you is to hit a lot of balls and hit them properly and use the proper mechanics and the winning will come," he said. "We're trying to teach them the skills. It's a lifetime sport."

There is a change in the scoring, although effectively there's still no real difference. Points have been doubled from 1 to 2 points in singles and 1 1/2 to 3 points in doubles to conform with the Southern section's scoring format.

In the format, three singles players and three doubles teams play 18 matches for a total of 45 points. Houlihan said the scoring points out that strong doubles teams are needed.

"You still have to have a pretty good doubles team to win," he said.

While Houlihan described his team as young and inexperienced, he still said he had a "great feeling" about his team. There's also still a strong nucleus of players with experience in the program who return. They include Brandon Waterman, Josh Caron, Andrew Roullard, Todd Crowell, Tyler Lewis, Jeremy Grunert, Chris McEachern and James Reavis.

There is also Devon Anderson, an outstanding athlete who's a standout for Carson's ski team. "Those are the guys that will carry the team," Houlihan said.

Carson opens the season on Thursday, Sept. 4 at Hug.