GREENFIELD — The Greenfield-Central boys tennis team has been knocking on the door ever since Michael Turpin took over the program six years ago.
With five team sectional semifinal appearances or better since 2015, and three of their recent postseason shortcomings measured by the narrowest of margins, including a 3-2 loss in the finals to New Palestine in 2016, the Cougars continue to chip away at their top goal.
This fall could offer the program another potential opportunity to achieve it with nine returnees and five returning varsity starters overall. Held without a sectional championship since 2007, the Cougars are set at several key spots.
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The question now for Turpin and his 17-man tennis roster is: can experience turn into further progression.
“The biggest thing, and I tell my players this all the time; the records aren’t the most important thing. It just comes down to giving your best every single day no matter where you’re at, and if they can do that, then they can challenge anyone they come across,” Turpin said. “We’re definitely going to look to improve from where we ended.”
In 2019, the Cougars finished 8-12 at the varsity level, and the junior varsity team went 16-4. Greenfield-Central placed third at the Hancock County Tournament despite contending with several injuries along the way.
Yet, their final stretch reflected the team’s capability with six wins in its final eight matches and four straight, including a 3-2 victory over Pendleton Heights in the opening round at sectional.
The catalysts behind their Ws came where they expected and where they will turn to again in 2020.
Senior singles player Carson Gibson is back, along with junior singles competitor Robbie Dye and the doubles tandem of senior Nick Grandstaff and junior Corbin Tilley.
Garrett Neumeister, a senior, also returns and will make the shift from singles to doubles.
This postseason, the Cougars are fine-tuning their game in preparation to contend against rival New Palestine and defending sectional and county champion Mt. Vernon.
However, there still remain questions. Good questions, especially at No. 1 and 2 singles.
“It’s still up in the air. (Robbie) and Carson have been having some pretty close sets recently,” Turpin said. “Robbie has beaten Carson this summer and Carson has beaten Robbie. So, it’s very competitive between the No. 1 and 2 right now.”
Dye is the incumbent at No. 1 singles, but Gibson has been streamlining up the ladder since he entered the program, and he’s continuing to apply the pressure on his teammates before he can turn that ferocity on his opponents this season.
“Last year, Carson started out the year as my No. 4 JV singles and by the time the year was over, he was No. 2 varsity singles, so in a year, he’s challenged his way all the way up that far,” Turpin said. “We’ll see between now and when the season starts, if he can get that one last spot.”
Friendly competition is welcomed by Turpin, who wants to put his student-athletes in the best possible position to win — individually and collectively.
“It’s great as a singles player to have someone else right there with you that’s pushing you every single day,” Turpin said. “You have seasons where someone is just happy to play No. 2 (singles) or No. 3, but it’s always good when those players both want the No. 1 (spot), constantly pushing each other to be better every day.”
An example of this competitive nature has been witnessed with Neumeister, who has opted to slide over to doubles to help offset the graduations of Seth Kirkpatrick and Kane Bradley.
While Grandstaff and Tilley are locks as a pair, the Cougars are projecting a twosome of Neumeister and junior Jack Weidner at the other doubles spot.
“I told (Garrett), if he can figure out the strategy behind it and he ends up enjoying it, then we can try to make that transition as long as it looks like it fits with our roster, and so far he’s been having fun with it,” Turpin said. “I think that’s the path he’s going to prefer to take, and he definitely fits in with that doubles crew.”
Sophomore Matt Hyre and junior Casey Hunt are vying for the No. 3 singles spot, but with the ever-present threat of COVID-19 infection, depth could be essential, if anything happens to impact any given player.
“I’m excited. Obviously, this season, specifically, is going to be very day-by-day with everything going on, and you never know? You might have to have players go in and out or swapping things around,” Turpin said. “It’s going to need to be that next man up mentality I feel like this year more than ever.”
However, the most important element to season for Turpin and the Cougars is merely just that. Having a season.
“I’m feeling confident. I’m optimistic that we’ll finish our season out. These guys have definitely worked hard. They deserve it,” Turpin said. “And, we have our goals set.”
