2016 Girls
Tennis Handbook
Valley Girls’ Tennis: Coaches and Contact Information
Matt Ross (head coach)
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell: 515.556.1713
Jennifer Aldrich (assistant coach)
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell: 515.491.5498
Jim Beattey (assistant coach)
E-mail: [email protected]
Cell: 515.210.3531
Twitter: @ValGirlTen (Practice/match changes and cancellations posted on
Twitter)
Valley Girls’ Tennis: Protocol and Expectations
Attendance and Absences
Practices alternate weekly between VSW and Crossroads Park. You are expected to be at every scheduled
practice. If you are unable to attend practice, you must let your coach know PRIOR to the day of your
absence. If you need to leave practice early, you must inform your coach prior to the start of practice.
Excused absences will not incur repercussions if they are properly handled before the absence occurs.
ANY absence where your coach is not properly notified ahead of time is considered UNEXCUSED.
Repercussions are as follows:
Injury/Illness
UNEXCUSED ABSENCES
If you are sick and not at school, you will not be allowed to attend practice. It is still your responsibility to
absence:
Player
will
sit out the
match.and Tweets are not an
phone or email FIRST
coach unexcused
to inform him/her
about
your
absence.
Textnext
messages
acceptable form of communication for absences. If you incur an injury that keeps you from practicing,
SECOND
unexcused
absence:
willto
sityour
out the
next
match;
proper documentation
(doctor’s
note)
needs toPlayer
be given
coach
immediately.
player meeting to discuss future on team.
THIRD unexcused absence: Immediate dismissal from the team.
Challenge Matches/Ladder Format
1.
2.
3.
4.
Coaches and players may initiate a challenge match.
Players have 48 hours to complete a challenge match. Failure to do so will result in a forfeit.
Format for JV will be one set. Format for Varsity will be determined by a coach.
Reseeding of the ladder will be posted every Monday.
a. Players 11-70+ will select a doubles partner for the duration of the season and be seeded
with that partner.
5. The coach, not the ladder, will make the final decision on who plays Varsity, what spot, and
partners for doubles play.
Eligibility
To be eligible to play, all girls need the following:
●
●
●
●
●
●
Updated physical on file in the VSW office or VHS athletic office
Emergency medical card and all other paperwork on file at the VSW office or VHS athletic office
Academically eligible and in compliance with the WDMCS good-conduct policy
Routine attendance at practice with a positive attitude, proper clothing, and equipment
Proper communication to coaches about practice or meet conflicts
Adherence of all guidelines and expectations detailed in the Valley girls’ tennis handbook
On court decorum
At meets and at practice, please remember that you represent the West Des Moines Community School
District. Whether you are on the court or watching a teammate, all team members are encouraged to be
respectful and polite. Warnings will be issued for the following behaviors and actions:
●
●
●
●
●
●
Any negative comments directed at an opponent
Cheating
Racquet slamming (on ground or net)
Ball abuse (slamming a ball, intentionally hitting a ball at an opponent, etc.)
Any audible profanity
Obscene gestures
If a second warning occurs during the same match, the player will be disqualified from play and
suspended for the next match.
Officiating during a match
Tennis is a unique sport, as we are one of the only high school organizations that require athletes to
officiate the competition in which they are participating. Fairness, respect, and integrity are important
traits that can be developed in this sport and will do more for you than winning a match. Note the rules
below:
●
●
●
●
The line is in. Unless you clearly see the ball bounce outside the line, the call is “in”.
Foot faults are a violation. Make sure you are outside the court when serving.
You must say your score aloud before serving. Stating your score loud enough for both you and
your opponent to hear will help avoid a lot of conflicts!
Always remember that your behavior, actions, and attitude represent more than just you, but your
school and team, too.
Uniforms/Attire
Players are expected to dress in uniform for all JV and Varsity matches. The team uniform consists of:
➢ A Valley tennis shirt
➢ Black shorts, a black skirt, or black athletic pants
Additionally, all girls are expected to dress appropriately for practice. Please see the Valley Student
Handbook for more information on appropriate attire. Players failing to comply with these rules will be
asked to change or leave practice.
School Conduct Violations
All school conduct violations will be handled per the Valley Student Handbook.
Academics
School comes first. If you need to fulfill an academic obligation that interferes with practice, you are
encouraged to do so. The coaching staff MUST be notified prior to an academic related absence.
Lettering
●
Play in at least one varsity match
● A senior who has been out for Valley tennis for at least THREE years
Valley Tennis Team Information
Team Title
Ladder #
Varsity
#1-7
Team Info
Matches: Will play in home matches and travel to
away matches
Practice: Every day from 3:45 – 5:15 pm
Invitationals: Will play all invitationals
Regionals/State: Will play in team AND
individual regionals/state
Varsity
#7-10
Matches: Will play in home matches and travel to
away matches
Practice: Every day from 3:45-5:15 pm
Invitationals: Will play all invitationals
Regionals/State: May be selected as alternate for
team and individual regionals/state
JV Travel Team
JV #1-5
Matches: Will play in home matches and travel to
away matches
Practice: Every day from 3:45-5:15 pm
Invitationals: May be asked to participate in
invitationals
JV 1
JV #6-15*
Regionals/State: N/A
Matches: Will play in all home matches and two
Saturday intra-squad tournaments.
Practice: Every Monday-Thursday from 5:15-6:15
pm
JV 2
JV #16-25**
Matches: Will play in all home matches and two
Saturday intra-squad tournaments.
Practice: Every Friday from 5:15-6:15 pm
*JV travel teams will play home matches at VSW.
**JV2 will be comprised of JV doubles teams 16 and below.
2016 Points of Emphasis
● Challenge Matches: Every girl in the tennis program is encouraged to challenge following the
week one seeding tournament.
● Athleticism: We will be incorporating cardio training into our practices. Footwork will once
again be a focus during practice. Start getting in shape now!
● Attendance: It is January and you have your calendar with practice and match times/dates.
Please do not schedule work, appointments, etc. during times you know we will be
practicing/competing. Additionally, we will no longer make accommodations for players needing
to leave matches early. The ladder will dictate order at all Varsity and JV matches.
● Uniform/Attire: Every girl in the tennis program is expected wear appropriate team clothing for
matches (see “Uniforms”). Varsity players will have a required uniform top. JV players will be
expected to wear the Valley Tennis uniform top.
Varsity and Junior Varsity Meet Routine
Varsity
Junior Varsity
✓ Be on time. If you arrive early, begin your warm-up
✓ Warm up hitting progression:
✓ Warm up hitting progression:
o
o
o
o
Line passing
Cross passing
Overheads
Serves
o
o
o
o
Line passing
Cross passing
Overheads
Serves
*Be sure to share the courts with our opponent
✓ We will meet with the opposing team to discuss
match instructions and introduce lineups.
✓ After introductions, singles players will have 10
minutes to warm up with opponent
*Be sure to share the courts with our opponent
✓ Find your coach and check in
✓ There will be brief meeting prior to starting the
✓ We will cycle #4 and #5 doubles teams in as courts
✓
✓
✓
✓
become available.
AFTER EACH MATCH, FIND YOUR
COACH AND REPORT YOUR SCORE!
After your match, please take a moment to reflect
on your opponent and record thoughts and ideas for
the future in the team notebook.
When you are not playing, you are expected to
support your team
All varsity players will stay for the duration of
the match
✓
✓
match. At this time, players will be put on the court
in order of placement on the ladder.
You will have a few minutes to warm up before
you begin your match.
After your match:
o Report your score to your coach
o Return balls
o Wait for next playing assignment
o Watch/support your teammates
✓
All JV players are encouraged to stay and support
their teammates at home matches.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The top six doubles teams (#JV16) will play home matches at VSW.
2016 Schedule
Date
Teams
Opponent
Location
Bus Departure
Time
Tuesday, April 5th
Varsity & JV
Roosevelt
Waveland
Thursday, April
7th
Friday, April 8th
Varsity & JV
Southeast Polk
VSW/Crossroads
VSW – 2:45, VHS –
3:00
N/A
Top 15
Boone Invitational*
Boone
TBD
Saturday, April
9th
Tuesday, April
12th
Friday, April 15th
Top 8
Johnston Invitational*
Johnston HS
No bus
Varsity & JV
Ames
VSW/Crossroads
N/A
Varsity & JV
Mason City
VSW/Crossroads
N/A
JV
Ames
Ames HS
Varsity & JV
Dowling Catholic
VSW/Crossroads
VSW – 2:30, VHS –
2:45
N/A
Top 12
North Scott HS
TBD
Varsity & JV
North Scott
Invitational*
Johnston
Johnston HS
Varsity & JV
Fort Dodge
Dodger Tennis Courts
Varsity
VSW
Varsity & JV
Ankeny and Ankeny
Centennial
Urbandale
VSW – 2:35, VHS –
2:50
VSW – 1:25, VHS –
1:40
Arrive by 8:30 am
VSW/Crossroads
N/A
Varsity & JV
Waukee
Waukee HS/Aspen
Athletic Club
VSW – 2:50, VHS –
3:05
Monday, April
18th
Tuesday, April
19th
Saturday, April
23rd
Tuesday, April
26th
Thursday, April
28th
Saturday, April
30th
Tuesday, May
3rd
Thursday, May
7th
1930 Elmhurst Ct.
End of season regular season
Remaining dates below are for Top Six
Saturday, May 14th
Top 6
Thursday, May
19th
Saturday, May 21st
Top 6
Tuesday, May 23rd
Top 6
Thursday, June 2nd
Qualifiers
Friday, June 3rd
Qualifiers
Saturday, June 6th
Top 6
Top 6
First Round Team
Regional Tournament
Individual Regional
Tournament
Team Second Round
AND Regional Final
First Round Team State
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
Individual State
Tournament
Individual State
Tournament
Team State Tournament
Cedar Rapids
TBD
Cedar Rapids
TBD
Cedar Rapids
TBD
*Invitationals vary but will generally be for varsity and top JV players only.