The Becker Bulldog girls tennis team has a new head coach this year as Nathan Bucher takes over for Rob Olson at the helm.

 

Olson decided he wanted to coach at the junior high level and first year coach Steve Borst took over the JV squad.

 

“ I'm really excited for this opportunity to coach the team,” said Bucher. “I think its a great way to extend my classroom to the court and its always something a little different compared to working with primary students during the day.”

 

Bucher started coaching with the tennis program his very first year teaching in Becker the fall of 2006. 

 

“I started working with the junior high level and actually had a lot of the girls that are now on the varsity team on my junior high team when they first started tennis,” said Bucher. “I moved up to JV when Coach Rob Olson moved up to varsity, then had my two-year leave of absence in Haiti.” 

 

This year’s tennis team is stocked with veteran talent as six seniors and six juniors fill out the 14 varsity position players.

 

Captains are seniors Ellie Tobako, Kat Suckert, Lindsey Lorette and junior Olivia Hultgren. 

 

“They are a great group of leadership and I hope to keep them involved with the younger players on the JV to help teach what it looks like to be part of Becker tennis,” Bucher said.

 

Another change for this season will be the first fulltime use of the new tennis courts by the girls tennis team.

 

“Our new courts are great,” said Bucher. “What a beautiful facility to host matches at. We're still working on some things, but it is a wonderful place to invite people to.” 

 

Bucher says many coaches and teams have appreciated the eight courts and wide spaces between the courts which makes it much more enjoyable to play on. “We're hoping next year to have even more JV and varsity invitationals to utilize our new facility,” he said. 

 

Bucher will feature Olivia Hultgren at #1 singles and will see where Rachel Lukkarila, Kat Suckert and Ashley Souba fit in as far as #2, #3 and #4 singles goes.

In doubles, the #1 duet of Lindsey Lorette and Maddie Anderson should find good success as they compete against fine talent in and out of the Granite Ridge Conference. Ellie Tobako and Megan Nelson have so far been teamed up and playing at #2 doubles while Shelby Huebert and Aundria Howard play at #3 doubles.

 

“We have the potential to post some great outcomes,” said Bucher of his team’s potential. “We're very strong in the conference and have a great chance at battling Foley, who has been very strong in the past.” 

 

Bucher says one of the team’s goals is always to advance to state but he knows realistically that St. Cloud Tech is going to be a team that has given Becker fits. 

 

“We faced them in a doubles tournament early in the year and played well in the positions that we played their doubles teams. So I think we have a great competitive shot at sections and even going to state.” 

 

The 2014 girls tennis team consists of: Amanda Brown, Amanda Lindsay, Ashley Souba, Aundria Howard, Ellie Tobako, Kaitlyn Suckert, Kayla Wilken, Lindsey Lorette, Madison Anderson, Megan Nelson, Olivia Hultgren, Rachel Lukkarila, Shelby Huebert and Taylor Pawlicki.

 

“I see the tennis court as an extension of my classroom,” said Bucher. “So I teach on the court. With that also comes the relationship building, I've really be trying to make sure the girls have a strong sense I want them to get out of tennis what they want to get out of it.”

 

The Bulldogs traveled across the river to take on the Magic and the Cardinals of Willmar in the Monticello Invitational last Saturday afternoon.

 

Becker defeated Monticello 6-1 then beat Willmar 7-0 to stay undefeated on the year.

 

Against Monticello, Hultgren lost at #1 singles to Monticello’s Alex Revenig, 2-6, 2-6 and was the only mark against Becker all day. Kat Suckert beat Taylor Arthur in #2 singles,6-2 6-4, then Lukkarilla beat Sid Antony, 6-2, 6-2 in #3 singles and finally Souba knocked off Myranda Anderson 6-3, 6-3 to help Becker win three out of four.

 

In doubles, Lorette/Anderson beat Sommer Kopff and Malory Bourgeois, 6-3, 6-4 at #1 doubles while Tobako and Nelson beat Jenna Dockendorf and Karlie Kitzman, 6-1, 6-2 at #2 doubles. Lastly, Howard and Huebert beat Hannah Lovold and Raeann Michel, 7-6 (13-11), 6-1.

 

Against Willmar, Hultgren won 6-2, 4-6, (10-3) in #1 singles Suckert won 6-1, 6-1 in #2 singles, Lukkarilla won 6-0, 6-0 in #3 singles and Souba won 7-6 (7-5), 6-3 in #4 singles.

 

In doubles, Lorette/Anderson won 6-4, 7-5 at #1 doubles, while Tobako/Nelson won 6-2, 64 at #2 doubles while Huebert/Wilken won 6-4, 6-4 at #3 doubles.

 

Monday the girls traveled to St. Michael and pulled out a close, 4-3 win.

 

Hultgren beat Kiana Eystad 6-1, 6-1 in #1 singles. Suckert beat Jolene Duda, 6-0, 6-2 in #2 doubles. At #3 singles, Lukkarilla beat Cory Eull, 7-5, 6-0. Souba lost her match at #4 singles, 1-6, 4-6.

 

In doubles, Anderson/Lorette lost to Maddy Schopf/Emily Tschida, 3-6, 2-6 at #1 doubles. Tobako and Nelson lost at #2 doubles, 1-6, 3-6 to Anne Caron and Alissa Anderson. At #3 doubles, Huebert and Wilken beat Meghan Winans and Emily Solberg, 7-5, 7-5 to capture the match.

 

Tuesday, Becker hosted a match with Pierz in which the home team won the match 6-1.

 

Hultgren beat Nikki Hoheisel, 6-0, 6-1 at #1 singles. Suckert beat Hannah Andrea, 6-0, 6-0 at #2 singles, Souba beat Abby Athman at #3 singles, 6-3, 6-4. Howard lost to Brittney Boser 4-6, 0-6.

 

Lukkarilla teamed up with Lorette at #1 doubles and they beat Kelsey Moulzoff and Shelbie Boser, 6-4, 6-2. Tobako paired with Anderson and they beat Beth Oldawski and Alysia Przybilla, 6-0, 6-2 at #2 doubles. Finally, Huebert and Wilken beat Taylre Boser and Magen Langer, 6-1, 6-1 at #3 doubles for the near sweep.