By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
BUCHANAN - Buchanan tennis coach Steve Bender, who marks his 17th season with the Bucks, hopes his team can continue where it left off last year.
Buchanan claimed the conference and regional championships and ranked fourth in state last year to end its season with a 155-8-3 overall record. This year, the goal is pretty much the same. Win conference, regionals and place in the top five in the state.
This year Buchanan has a completely new lineup and a lot of new players, so anything is possible.
Korey Camp, Mike Otwell and Doug Summers are this year's captains. All are seniors and return to the roster for the Bucks.
Coach Bender said his team strengths this year are team depth, team pride, team tradition and senior leadership.
Buchanan will have to look out for Edwardsburg and Berrien Springs in the Lakelnad Conference.
In the state Grosse Ile, Kalamazoo Hackett, North Pointe Christian and Portland are also very competitive teams that the Bucks will have to be ready for.
Assistant coach for the varsity team is Jamie Colton. JV head coach is Brian Pruett. Assistant coaches are Brandon Schmeling and Chad VanLue.
The Bucks return to action on Friday as they are hosting another indoor tournament. Match times are yet to be determined.