Competing against three four-year varsity tennis programs, Hesston freshmen Luis Ramirez (Tachira, Venezuela), Michael Oyer (Hesston, Kan.) and Taylor Ermoian (Hays, Kan.) each won their match at one, two and four singles, respectively.

In doubles play, Ermoian and Keenan Jensen (Hesston, Kan.), another freshman, won at two, while Oyer and Austin Loucks (Elkhart, Ind.) won at three.

“I was so proud of our team today,” said Hesston coach Jeron Baker. “Our men couldn’t have played any better in the opening round. Hesston College played in 5 of the 6 singles finals and all 3 doubles finals. On the women’s side, Erika Wedel got her first singles win of the year and Kaci Diener and Wedel recorded their first doubles win of the year. This was a huge day for our program.”

After winning two of three doubles matches, the Larks’ top three singles all fell, giving Barton a 4-2 advantage with three matches to go. Freshmen Taylor Ermoian (Hays, Kan.) and Keenan Jensen (Hesston, Kan.) rebounded with impressive wins (6-2, 6-4 and 6-1, 6-1) to knot things up, and sophomore Austin Loucks (Elkhart, Ind.) delivered with a win (6-0, 7-5) in the final singles match to clinch the Hesston win.

“We knew going in we had to lead with our doubles play and start the day off strong,” said Hesston coach Jeron Baker. “We got big wins at 1 and 3 doubles and from there it was a percentage game. We just needed 3 of the 6 singles to pull out the match. The bottom half of our lineup came up huge. If we continue to play like we did yesterday we will have a very successful season.”

“We’ll have good competition up and down our roster,” Baker said. “As many as four freshmen could crack the top six. I’m excited to see who steps up.”

Several matches highlight the 2012 schedule, including a March 27 date at neighboring Bethel College (North Newton) whose roster includes former Hesston standout David Tedone, now a top player for the Threshers’ program. On March 28, Hesston hosts local rival Tabor College.

The Larks will look to build on last year’s success when the men’s team recorded impressive wins against four-year varsity programs Southwestern College (Winfield, Kan.), Friends University (Wichita, Kan.) and Kansas Wesleyan University (Salina, Kan.).

Ermoian is a four-year varsity player for Hays, compiling a 20-13 overall record as a senior. He earned the school’s Most Spirited Athlete Award following his senior year in which he helped Hays to a state tournament berth.

An honor roll student, National Honor Society member and Citizenship Award winner, Ermoian excels in the classroom as well.

“Taylor’s ability to understand the intricacies of the game and ability to structure points make him a valuable asset to the program,” said Hesston coach Jeron Baker. “It’s his personality that excites me the most though. He is the exact type of student we want at Hesston.”

Ermoian is the son of Cheryl Herman and Kyle Ermoian, Hays. He attends Celebration Community Church in Hays and is active in the youth group there.

A varsity letter-winner in tennis and track, Hickert has served as team captain for her tennis team the last two seasons.

Whitney Hickert signs with Hesston Tennis

A four-year academic letter recipient at Hays High, Hickert is an honor roll student, National Honor Society member and Athletic Boosters Scholar. She plans to study nursing at Hesston.

“Whitney is the type of player who will instantly become a leader on our team,” Baker said. “She exudes care and compassion for others and will be a great example for all of us. She has a high athletic ceiling, and with more specific tennis instruction there’s no telling how good she can be.”

Hickert is the daughter of Kevin and Sondra Hickert, Hays. She attends Liberty Christian Fellowship Church in Hays.

Jeron Baker, currently in his third year at the helm of the Hesston College tennis program, was the recipient of that email written by Art Mullet, Hesston’s long-time athletic director. Two months after that initial contact – which had been encouraged by current Hesston faculty Jen LeFevre, Baker’s tennis coach at Hesston – Baker returned to the Hesston campus to interview for the position. By day’s end, the job was his.

Now, three years later, it’s evident that Baker’s players are experiencing the same personal growth he did, all the while playing lead roles in the rebuilding effort that has stabilized Hesston College Tennis.

“When we were looking for a new tennis coach, I immediately thought of Jeron,” Lefevre said. “I knew we needed someone with a solid knowledge of the game as well as a passion for the sport. Jeron is a great recruiter; he’s very relational and is a natural at connecting with people.  I’ve enjoyed watching him continue to grow into his role as tennis coach and really strengthen the program.”

Baker saw the tremendous opportunity in the chance to come back to his alma mater and resurrect a program for which he deeply cared. He immediately felt ownership in the call to mentor young players and watch them grow. As the result of his efforts, the program grew, too.

“When offered the chance to not only return to Hesston, but be involved with tennis, my first instinct was to jump on it immediately,” Baker said. “Being able to relate to Hesston students and utilize my abilities to impact their lives was the ultimate opportunity for me.”

Sophomore Adam Weaver, Hesston, Kan., describes Baker as a tremendous motivator; someone who has a pulse on the physical and mental needs of his players.

“Jeron is aware of our lives outside of tennis,” Weaver said. “He’ll often stop me on campus and ask what my day’s been like and if I’m feeling ready to play that day. On the court he’s helped me maintain my focus and intensity. There’s hardly a drill where he’s not jumping in and teaching right beside us.”

A chemistry major whose involvements on campus include being a lab assistant and resident assistant, not to mention his time with the tennis and soccer programs, Weaver played the best tennis of his life this spring, according to Baker.

“Adam has been just amazing this year,” Baker said. “It’s rewarding to see players’ successes and growth throughout their time here. He’s been a big part of our program.”
Weaver wasn’t the only player to experience success this season.

During a late-March, early-April stretch, the men’s team notched three consecutive victories over local four-year varsity tennis programs in Friends University, Wichita, Southwestern College, Winfield, and Kansas Wesleyan University, Salina.

The women’s team enjoyed their share of success, too, earning three wins over Central Christian College, McPherson, Kan., also a four-year varsity program.

“I hadn’t planned on playing tennis in college,” said freshman Alyssa Horst, Orrville, Ohio, who came to Hesston initially to play volleyball. “Getting to know Jeron throughout the year got me interested in giving it a shot. He has a different style of coaching that I’ve never experienced before. He’s very intense and energetic. He motivates us, stays positive and just doesn’t tolerate negativity.”

In the end, after the final game of the final match has been played, it’s the overall college experience of his players that Baker is most interested in. This mindset has, in turn, led to new heights for the Hesston College tennis program.

“My personal Hesston experience wasn’t defined by tennis, but was highly influenced by it,” Baker said. “I loved my time at Hesston and the relationships that existed. Looking back, tennis was a small sample of the larger model that existed for me there.”

“I’m looking forward to being a sophomore next year and getting to know an entirely new incoming class of students, which is basically half the student body,” Horst said. “It’ll be a great new start to another great year.”

Michael Oyer signs a letter of intent for Hesston College tennis

This spring will be Oyer’s fourth of varsity tennis for the Swathers. A two-sport athlete in high school, Oyer also participated in four seasons of cross country. A key member of last year’s Hesston High tennis team that finished as state runner-up at 4A, Oyer has accumulated the fourth highest winning percentage (49-15, 77%) in Swathers’ singles history. Last year, he notched 28 singles wins, one shy of the single season win mark.

A dedicated student as well, Oyer has been a mainstay on the Honor Roll throughout his time at Hesston High. He is a member of Whitestone Mennonite Church in Hesston and is active in the youth group there.

“Michael’s persistence and consistency will help us tremendously next year,” said Hesston College tennis coach Jeron Baker. “He can keep the ball in play for hours if necessary, that’s something that you don’t often find at our level. He will connect well with our team and campus community.”

Oyer is the son of Gary and Louisa Oyer, Hesston.

On the women’s side, sophomore Jenny Carter (Lexington, Mo.), along with freshman Alyssa Horst (Orrville, Ohio), Kendra Mast (Dundee, Ohio), Katie Miller (Albuquerque, N.M.), Taylor Funk (Russell, Kan.) and Shanda Zacher (Hackensack, Minn.) combine for an improved and deeper roster.

“Our women’s team has a good competitive balance,” Baker said. “On any given day, our six could beat our one.”

For the men, last year’s one, two, four and six return in David Tedone (North Richland Hills, Texas), Ryan Wengerd (Goshen, Ind.), Alex Roth (Hesston, Kan.) and Adam Weaver (Hesston, Kan.). That core will be strengthened by freshman Jordan Tompkins (Wellington, Kan.), Luke Miller (Wichita, Kan.) and Jake Painter (Springfield, Mo.). Sophomore Mitch Yoder (Kalona, Iowa) and freshman Austin Loucks (Goshen, Ind.), Claude Stickler (Goshen, Ind.) and Stephen Quenzer (Visalia, Calif.) will provide experience in doubles play.

“I’m excited about the energy and camaraderie I’ve seen thus far,” Baker said. “It’s a fun group to be a part of and I’m looking forward to watching the potential develop. We’ll surprise some people this year.”