Card boys' tennis: Storm is most valuable player

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Senior Austin Storm was selected as the Cardinal boys’ tennis most valuable player after finishing the season earning Central Lakes All-Conference honors.

“Austin was our MVP award winner as he showed his versatility by playing both singles and doubles this year,” said head coach Dave Ronning. “If we needed him in one or the other, he was willing to do whatever would make the team better.

“Austin came a long way this season in the attitude department and didn’t let frustrating moments bring his game down. [He] worked hard every day and showed his leadership skills.”

Brock Wood was named the most improved player for the team, while Trevor Grandgenett was named hardest worker and Mack Wadi most intense player.

“This was Brock’s first year in tennis,” said Ronning. “[He] was like a sponge and soaked everything up, and worked hard at improving his game.

“Brock is a fierce competitor and was determined to get better as the season went along.

“Trevor is very deserving of the hardest worker award as he began his quest to improve immediately after the 2011 season and on through the winter,” noted his coach. “[He] led by example and improved those around him in the process.

“Mack was our most intense player this year,” he continued. “[He] did not like losing, and if he played with his heart, he was a very tough player.

“Mack was intense but he did it with class and dignity.”

“We say goodbye to eight seniors in Storm, Grandgenett, Wadi, Wood, Will Harding, Ryan Johnson Ben VonBargen and Clayton Cozad,” said Ronning. “Most of these guys have been playing varsity tennis in our program for two or three years. They have been an enjoyable group of guys to work with. They get along great and do a lot of things together off the courts that leads to good chemistry on the courts.

“They were a selfless group that always put the team first, and did what was needed for the team to be successful,” he said. “Although our record didn’t show it at 7-13 overall, we were close in most of our matches. We competed hard every night and improved as the season went along. That is everything a coach can ask for. These guys will be missed and the intangibles these guys brought to our team will be hard to replace.”

Both Storm and Wadi earned Central Lakes All-Conference honors, with Grandgenett and Wood earning honorable mention.

The team finished with a 7-13 overall record and a 3-9 conference mark.

Next year’s captains will be Jake Strand and Brendan Holm.

ALEXANDRIA BOYS’ TENNIS

FINAL SEASON STATISTICS

Trevor Grandgenett 4-13

Brock Wood 8-10

Ryan Johnson 5-13

Austin Storm 10-13

Ben VonBargen 4-16

Mack Wadi 10-13

Will Harding 9-10

Brendan Holm 8-13

Mark Kallevig 9-10

Levi Duwenhoegger 7-13

Jake Strand 1-5

Eric Branch 2-2

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