No single advantage: Seniors say New Ulm tennis team strong all-around, although Niemeyer bolsters singles game

By JEN SEAVEY

Journal Sports Editor

NEW ULM -- The New Ulm boys tennis team will benefit from getting two big boosts this season: offseason practice and the addition of Philipp Niemeyer to the team.

"We're excited to have Phil Niemeyer come out from Cathedral," Poncin said of the German foreign exchange student who is one of three players from Cathedral. "I heard good reports this winter when he played indoors. It looks like he will be playing varsity singles."

Niemeyer has played tennis for eight years in Germany; he and his 13 year old sister play for a tennis club near Frankfurt, Germany. Now, he is excited to be playing after kicking for the Cathedral football team in the fall.

"I was looking forward to it since I played football here -- as soon as I got the opportunity, I wanted to play," Niemeyer said. "Tennis and soccer are my favorite sports. I didn't know how it would go or what the team would look like, but I like it."

Even though practice just started, Niemeyer has been going to the rec center in the offseason.

"He's been coming in a lot in the winter," senior Joel Runck said. "He hasn't been taking it easy in the winter."

Runck, who will play singles again for the Eagles, has also put in his time in the offseason, as have seniors John Hildebrandt and doubles player Jay Smith.

The availability of the Family Recreation Center has made offseason practice more convenient for the tennis players. Members of the team were able to stay in New Ulm to practice with friends this year instead of having to take the time to drive to Mankato or St. Peter to practice indoors.

"With the new indoor courts, it's helped," Smith said. "With my schedule, it's tough to go to St. Peter. With Vogel, it makes it easier."

Even after just two days of practice, the seniors are confident in what their team will be able to do this year with eight returning letterwinners and Niemeyer.

"Singles will be extremely good, and doubles looked good throughout the season," he said. "We should have a good chance at winning the conference."

"We're going to be both really strong in singles and doubles," Runck said. "We'll be a real threat to whoever we face."

Poncin has pointed out Waseca as the team to beat in the South Central Conference and Eden Prairie as the top team in the section.

Playing singles for the Eagles will be, in no particular order, seniors John Hildebrandt, Philipp Niemeyer and Joel Runck and sophomore Phil Dirlam.

"It might be tough to figure out the lineup," Hildebrandt said. "Philipp will help singles be a lot better. We needed one more person."

Playing doubles will be Smith and junior Matt Sprung, who played No. 1 doubles with few losses last year. Sophomores Michael Maki and Conrad Wachter, Josh Hillesheim and Adam Johnson will also be playing doubles.

Hillesheim missed a large portion of last year after hurting his wrist first thing in the spring. This year, the Cathedral sophomore just got a cast off of his left arm and is ready to play.

Sophomores Tom Oberle, Josh Schneider and Devan Burghardt and freshmen Brendan Meier, Jarrod Wiggins, Brad Koset, Scott Hansel, Kyle Murphy and Zach Bliese round out the JV team.

The Eagles begin their season when they host Redwood Valley at 4:30 p.m. Monday.