Tidball's late 2007 season experiment of moving Seth Garnett from No. 1 singles to No. 1 doubles with Seth Shimerda proved successful.
RON POWELL / Lincoln Journal Star | Posted: Tuesday, August 26, 2008 7:00 pm
Tim Tidball has never been afraid to shake up his tournament lineup, but the Lincoln Southeast boys tennis coach is starting this season with the status quo, at least for now.
Tidball’s late 2007 season experiment of moving Seth Garnett from No. 1 singles to No. 1 doubles with Seth Shimerda proved successful. The Knight duo finished 10-3 and took second at the Class A state tournament, enough to convince Tidball to keep the juniors together.
“It just makes sense to pick up where we left off,” said Tidball, whose team finished fourth in the state meet last fall. “They’re (Garnett and Shimerda) a nice combination on the court because they know each other so well and their games feed off each other.”
Keeping that doubles team together allows sophomore Grant Tesmer to move up to No. 1 singles after going 27-0 and winning state at No. 2 singles last fall. Garnett played No. 1 singles as a freshman two years ago and most of last season.
“I like singles, but this lineup probably scores more points for the team,” said Garnett, who played nine tournaments with Shimerda this summer, perhaps anticipating what would happen this fall. Shimerda played this summer after sitting out five months early in 2008 because of an injury suffered playing indoor soccer.
Tesmer will be tested immediately at No. 1 singles. He’ll face defending No. 1 singles champion Jackson Withrow of Omaha Burke on Thursday at Woods Tennis Center, part of a triangular that includes defending state champion Lincoln East. Withrow (32-0) also went undefeated last fall.
“It’s nice having two quality No. 1 singles players on the team,” Tidball said. “Grant’s extremely athletic with good size and quickness. He’s a gamer who knows how to win matches.”
Tesmer called the move to No. 1 singles “a big step.”
“I’m excited for it,” Tesmer added. “I’ve hit a lot this summer and played a lot of tournaments, so I think I’m ready.”
Seniors Chad Groshans and Luke Burkey, quarterfinalists at No. 2 doubles last fall, lead the Knights in the No. 2 divisions. Tidball said he’s still uncertain about the lineup beneath Tesmer, Garnett and Shimerda, with several players contending for spots.
Reach Ron Powell at 473-7437 or rpowell@journalstar.com.