ROSSFORD — Rossford first-year tennis coach Justin Carmack takes over the program with just one returning letterman, senior Michael DeShetler.

Five of his players are in their first year on the varsity team, even some of the upperclassmen. Plus, a lot of his tennis players are also playing other sports, so they are not always available.

“We have struggled to begin the season due to injuries and some of my players are dual sport athletes so they aren’t always at our practices or matches,” Carmack said. “(It’s) youth and newness to the sport for the majority of my team.

“We are definitely progressing as a young team but as I have told them the beginning of the year was going to be difficult because of the caliber of opponents and our newness to the sport,” Carmack continued.

“I am very pleased with our growth but often run into players and teams with years of experience while we have weeks of experience.”

That doesn’t mean his players aren’t becoming more committed to the sport.

“They are extremely coachable and passionate about tennis and becoming better at the sport,” Carmack said.

DeShetler is joined by senior Nicolo Cassano, juniors Jace Odenweller and Sophia Shinaver and freshman Preston Buzdor as the Bulldogs’ key players. Odenweller and Cassano are already displaying their ability to be the top singles player on the team.

“Odenweller and Cassano are neck and neck,” Carmack said. “They both are solid athletes that are very good at volleying and keeping in points.”

DeShetler and Shinaver have teamed up for doubles, and they work well together, says Carmack.

“They are good friends who have amazing communication that is so essential for doubles tennis,” Carmack said.

Rossford will not play in a league because the Northern Buckeye Conference’s by-laws require five schools to sanction the sport before a league title can be played for.

Currently, there are four, also including Maumee, Oak Harbor, and Fostoria, but those coaches are hoping interest will generate at Eastwood, Otsego, Lake (once had tennis), or Genoa to begin playing tennis so their players can play for championships.

Still, Carmack is making sure his schedule is challenging, playing mostly Northern Lakes League schools and many Northwest Ohio Athletic League and Sandusky Bay Conference schools that are similar in size. Plus, the Bulldogs will get to compete in the OHSAA tournament.

“We have a very difficult schedule that will challenge our youth but will benefit our players as we reach the end of our season and postseason begins,” Carmack said.

In the fall, Carmack led the Waite girls team to its second ever Toledo City League championship. He finished his sixth season coaching Waite, where his teams went 37-59.