Central Valley High School's varsity boys tennis program has a new leader.
Mike Rodriguez, who served as an assistant with the girls' team in the fall, replaced Roland Calagos. He has a limited background in the sport.
"I'm kind of learning on the fly," Rodriguez said. "It's a challenge. If I get to come back next year, at least I'll be knowledgeable."
The Hawks will look to improve on last season's 3-11 performance (fifth in the Valley Oak League). Central Valley compiled a 5-9 record in 2008.
"The main thing is I want to see the kids play hard and compete," Rodriguez said. "I think they're self-motivated."
The Hawks will be led by their three most experienced players-Alex Cunningham (Sr.), Will Berryhill (Sr.) and Heath Sousa (Jr.).
Cunningham, Berryhill and Sousa fill the No. 1, 2 and 3 singles slots in Central Valley's lineup.
Alex played No. 2 singles last year.
Will and Heath played doubles.
Gary Ney (Sr.) and Trinidad Sandoval (Sr.), and Chan Chau (So.) and Max Perez (Jr.) make up the Hawks' No. 1 and 2 doubles teams, respectively.
Ney, Sandoval and Perez are returners.
Central Valley's conference schedule includes matches against Ceres High, Manteca, Oakdale, Sonora, East Union, Weston Ranch, Sierra and Lathrop.
"I really don't know what to expect," Rodriguez said. "I'm hoping we'll be competitive with the other schools."
The Hawks will continue to strive for a breakthrough season. They've never secured a winning record or been to the playoffs. CV fielded its first-ever boys' tennis team in 2006.
"It's not going to happen overnight," Rodriguez said.
Mike Rodriguez, who served as an assistant with the girls' team in the fall, replaced Roland Calagos. He has a limited background in the sport.
"I'm kind of learning on the fly," Rodriguez said. "It's a challenge. If I get to come back next year, at least I'll be knowledgeable."
The Hawks will look to improve on last season's 3-11 performance (fifth in the Valley Oak League). Central Valley compiled a 5-9 record in 2008.
"The main thing is I want to see the kids play hard and compete," Rodriguez said. "I think they're self-motivated."
The Hawks will be led by their three most experienced players-Alex Cunningham (Sr.), Will Berryhill (Sr.) and Heath Sousa (Jr.).
Cunningham, Berryhill and Sousa fill the No. 1, 2 and 3 singles slots in Central Valley's lineup.
Alex played No. 2 singles last year.
Will and Heath played doubles.
Gary Ney (Sr.) and Trinidad Sandoval (Sr.), and Chan Chau (So.) and Max Perez (Jr.) make up the Hawks' No. 1 and 2 doubles teams, respectively.
Ney, Sandoval and Perez are returners.
Central Valley's conference schedule includes matches against Ceres High, Manteca, Oakdale, Sonora, East Union, Weston Ranch, Sierra and Lathrop.
"I really don't know what to expect," Rodriguez said. "I'm hoping we'll be competitive with the other schools."
The Hawks will continue to strive for a breakthrough season. They've never secured a winning record or been to the playoffs. CV fielded its first-ever boys' tennis team in 2006.
"It's not going to happen overnight," Rodriguez said.
