The Raiders are hoping for a successful 2009 campaign, but realize they will not be the favorites after losing Gib Moyle and JJ Shultz (click on link for stats) to graduation.  "They were two of the most successful players in the history of Stevens' tennis.  Replacing them is impossible," said Raider Coach Jason Olson.  The Raiders will still be strong as they return four of their varsity players from their 2008 state championship team.

 Billy Paluch, Jack Hamburg, Stephen Tibbles, and Cody Eslinger all return in 2009 to give the Raiders a solid team.  They return the two best players in the state in Billy Paluch and Jack Hamburg who have both won three singles titles in a row.  They have also teamed up to win back to back flight 1 doubles titles.  They also return Stephen Tibbles (6th at flight 5 singles) and Cody Eslinger (5th at flight 6 singles) who teamed up to take 4th in 3rd flight doubles in 2008.   "Cody and Stephen came up huge at state in doubles.  Getting to the semis and playing the way they did was very important to our team winning the title," expressed senior, Billy Paluch.

  The Raiders will be looking to try to replace Moyle and Shultz from their talented JV squad, but they also got some help when sophomore Kyle Rohrbach transferred from St. Thomas More.  "Kyle will help us a ton.  He is a strong player who works his tail off!" said Coach Olson.  The Raiders have many players who could play varsity in 2009 and the competition should be fierce for the final spots.

  No one will feel sorry for the Raiders who have dominated the state the last three years going 63-0 in duals and winning back to back to back state titles.  The Sioux Falls O'Gorman Knights are the favorites going in to 2009 and their Coach, Don Barnes feels it might be their time as their return six varsity players.  SF Lincoln, SF Roosevelt, Aberdeen Central, and Watertown will also be contenders. 

(see link for SF O'Gorman outlook- www.sfcss.org/OGHS.cfm?ContentID=300) 

  The 2006 and 2007  Raiders dominated the state by winning back to back titles with little difficulty, but the 2008 team made it a three-peat in dramatic fashion.  The Raiders were trailing going into the final day of action, but were able to overtake the SFO Knights by sweeping flights 1-4 singles and 1 and 2 doubles.  The biggest match of the tournament might have been Friday night when the Raiders undefeated #2 doubles team of Gib Moyle and JJ Shultz came back from a set down to defeat the #2 SFO team in the semi-finals.  "It was a 40 point swing and probably even more because whoever won this match would be the favorite to win it all," said Raider Assistant Coach, Jeff Richardt.  Even with that win, the Raider still needed to win just about every match on Saturday to capture their 3rd straight title.

  At the Boys' State Tournament the last three years the Raiders went 34-2 in 2006, 35-1 matches in 2007,  and 32-5 in 2008 for a total record of 101-8.  The Raiders have also gone 63-0 in duals during this time. Overall the Raiders have a 64 match winning streak going into 2009.

2009 Boys' Varsity Schedule    2009 JV Schedule

2009 Ladder and Challenge Match results

2009 Boys' Roster

Billy Paluch Info Sheet

2007 State Results

2008  Varsity Schedule   2008 JV Schedule

2008 Challenge Match Results

04/18/2015

Jason Olson
5005 Galena Dr
Rapid City SD, 57702
(605) 716-6965

To email Coach Olson= yankeejko@hotmail.com
Jason Olson

Last Updated February 3rd, 2006