By Bruce Karnick

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Starting the season off with an opponent like Eagan is never an easy task, especially for a first-time head coach. But that is what Alex Zuzek and the Hastings Raiders did. Wednesday, April 14th, they opened their season on the road in Eagan.

“It was a tough one against Eagan who’s always solid and we lost zero to seven. We came out a little flat I would say and they’re tough too, so no credit taken away from them, but we didn’t perform, I don’t think to the best of our abilities either,” Zuzek said Thursday before the teams match against Simley.

Zuzek has the added challenge of athletes that have not played tennis competitively for nearly two years but he is loving the way the team is responding, “Oh yeah, a lot of really good attitudes, a lot of really coachable kids and it’s like, and I think I would say this for every team, you know, I think it’s a tough adjustment getting back in for the players after last year, not being able to play, and that’s probably true for baseball it’s probably true for track you know. And so, you know, all things considered, I think it’s been going pretty well. Lots of growth, room for growth after yesterday’s match and so I’m excited to have had a little better warm up here today and we’ll get after it.”

After talking to Coach Zuzek, we tracked down Senior Captain, Charlie Scharr. We started talking about what it means to finally play.

“It really means everything because it’s like, it’s my final year obviously and it’s like, it’s really important. I feel like to kind of step up as a leader, you know, and this is my first opportunity to do that, my only opportunity to do that really so I just think it’s vital that I just do my part,” Scharr said.

Being a senior, Scharr has experienced other head coaches, so how does he think Coach Zuzek is doing so far?

“He’s doing a phenomenal job he’s doing. He’s getting all the guys, ready to play and he’s bringing his own certain style into it and I just think, I think he’s doing a great job,” Scharr said with a smile behind his mask.

Against Simley, the team performed much better, winning the meet 4-3.

Singles: No. 1 – Nathan Schauer, Simley def. Charlie Scharr, Hastings, 4-6 , 6-0 , 4-6 ; No. 2 – Brady Zak, Hastings def. Connor Hassing, Simley, 6-3 , 6-0 , -; No. 3 – Eric Barber, Hastings def. Dominick Olaes, Simley, 6-0 , 6-0 , -; No. 4 – Alex Naaya, Simley def. Caleb Teegarden, Hastings, 6-7 , 4-6 , -; Doubles: No. 2 – Austin Penttila, Simley – Aaren Schmotter, Simley def. Ryan Fagnant, Hastings – Will Clifford, Hastings, 1-6 , 1-6 , -; No. 1 – Henry Ascheman, Hastings – William Matzek, Hastings def. Gabe Alvear, Simley – Andro Armanious, Simley, 4-6 , 7-5 , 6-3 ; No. 3 – Brady Teegarden, Hastings – Devon Yang, Hastings def. Ethan Gregg, Simley – N/A, 6-4 , 6-2 , -; They also faced Lakeville North, falling 7-0, Roseville, falling 7-0 and Apple Valley winning 4-3 Singles: No. 1 – Charlie Scharr, Hastings def. Ryan Luehrs, Apple Valley, 7-5 , 6-4 , -; No. 2 – Brady Zak, Hastings def. Mark Hentges, Apple Valley, 6-4 , 6-3 , -; No. 3 – Walter Haankenson, Apple Valley def. Eric Barber, Hastings, 6-1 , 7-5 , -; No. 4 – Ty Weisenburger, Apple Valley def. Caleb Teegarden, Hastings, 6-4 , 6-1 , -; Doubles: No. 1 – Henry Ascheman, William Matzek, Hastings def. Matthew Schaefer, Kenny Nguyen, Apple Valley, 3-6 , 6-3 , 10-5 ; No. 2 – Will Clifford, Brady Teegarden, Hastings def. Caleb Scott, Carson Bothof, Apple Valley, 4-6 , 6-0 , 10-8 ; No. 3 – Colin Kahle, Kyen Lundgren, Apple Valley def. Devon Yang, Matt Darst, Hastings, 6-1 , 6-1 , -; The boys have had to move three meets so far this season. Home versus Tartan is now scheduled for May 3rd, at Mahtomedi is now scheduled for May 5th, and home versus Highland Park is now scheduled for May 12th.

The next chance to catch the Raiders in action is Thursday the 22nd at home against Hill Murray. For a full schedule of Raider Sports, visit www.metroeastconference.org.

Senior Charlie Scharr serving for the match against Simley. Scharr lost his match against Simley, but bounced back nicely and won against Apple Valley. Photo by Bruce Karnick