Laramie High School’s tennis teams present a bit of a dichotomy, as one team is experienced, while the other is going through a bit of a youth movement in 2020.

The short prep tennis season is underway, and Laramie is gearing up for the bulk of their schedule over the next three weeks. The state tournament is only a month away.

Laramie returns six players with varsity experience on their girls’ roster. That skill set is in doubles, not singles play.

LHS Tennis head coach Elizabeth Clower likes the prospects.

“I think we have to kind of grow up in a couple of areas, a little maturing in our game in a couple of places, which we don’t have a lot of time to do, but I think we can do it. We’re also just getting a couple of players back in the lineup.”

Clower mentioned those two were out for various reasons, and they will now have to figure out where they fit in the lineup. She is confident they can be a good team by the end of the season when it counts.

“Our win (against Kelly Walsh), even though we won only the one spot at 2-doubles, that was a really big win for them. I’m shooting for (the) top four.”

That may be a lofty goal but Coach Clower wants her squads to have high expectations.

The Laramie boys’ team has just two players back from its varsity lineup a year ago. It’s the twins, Samuel and Marcos Johnson-Noya. They were paired together in doubles last season but are now split for 2020. Samuel is playing singles, while Marcos is still part of a double team.

Clower says, “Having Samuel at No. 1 singles, he’s a strong player. He’s learning the game of singles, but then also having an experienced player (Marcos) at doubles, helps strengthen two lines instead of just one line. They’re also being great leaders for the other guys and helping to bring them along. Telling them what things are like and what they’re going to look like at matches, and what the expectations are, so some really good leadership there.”

She feels good things can happen for the boys’ squad if they continue to put in the work. Clower’s goal is to finish in the top four.

“We’ve got some learning how to play singles, some learning how to play doubles, and being smart. We’re reactionary right now instead of dictating points, and that’s what we’ve gotta learn to do.”

Two of the newest singles players, D.J. Giron and Samuel Johnson-Noya, spoke to KOWB’s David Settle about the LHS Tennis team this season. Both talked about the start to the year, adjusting to singles after having played doubles, and what the prospects are for the squads. That's in the video at the top of this story.

Laramie has a busy next few weeks. It starts Thursday with a road conference dual at Cheyenne Central. LHS heads on the road Saturday to Sheridan. Their next home match is on Tuesday, Sept. 1, against Cheyenne East. Laramie will also play Campbell County, Thunder Basin, Cheyenne South, and Torrington at home. They have road matches at Rock Springs, Green River, and Rawlins.

The regional tournament is in Green River on Sept. 18 and 19. The state tennis championships are Sept. 24-26, in Gillette.

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