The Waterloo High School boys tennis team is off to a 3-1 start to the season with one other match still undecided due to a weather stoppage.

The Bulldogs are up 4-2 against Jerseyville in that contest.

Head coach Brett Ivers said junior Grant Rodenberg is among the team’s top performers in the early going, as are senior doubles players Tyler Chitty and Charlie McGhee.

“Grant dedicated himself to tennis this summer, playing in tournaments and hitting on a consistent schedule,” Ivers said. “His work has paid off and he has made tremendous strides on the court. He is moving the ball with great pace and accuracy. Grant’s confidence in pressure situations has improved and it has shown in his results.”

So far, Rodenberg is 4-1 on the spring and has outscored his opponents 48-6 in the matches he has won.

“I expect more great play from Grant for the remainder of the season,” Ivers said.
McGhee and Chitty are playing together in doubles this year for the first time, Ivers said, and the results are positive.

“They move well together and communicate with each other superbly,” Ivers said. “Their energy and enthusiasm help them compete at a high level and they have started the season with some strong performances.”

Ivers said the team’s strength is its ability to fill out a good lineup.

“We are going to need Jordan Stites, John Maag, Dustin Siebenberger and Jackson Ivers to continue to put wins together so the team is in the best position to win,” he said.

So far, these team members have compiled a combined singles record of 10-5 and a combined doubles record of 6-2.

“As far as the team competition, every position in the lineup counts the same,” Ivers said. “Our boys know this, and win or lose, they support each other throughout their matches. We have a good team chemistry and it will need to stay that way if we are going to continue to improve.”

Already with a leg up on Jerseyville in the conference match that needs to be completed, the Bulldogs have also topped conference foes Civic Memorial and Triad this season.

“Our match with Highland is April 20 and we could put ourselves in good position for the end of the year conference tournament with some more strong showings,” Ivers said.

Ultimately, Ivers hopes his team will have a strong showing in the conference tourney, followed by a high enough placing in the competitive Belleville Sectional to advance to the state tournament.