PAGE 9 FALL SPORTS 2016 Veteran Gazelles Set For 2016 Tennis Season BY BEN HEGGE sports@yankton.net Hofer Takes YHS Girls’ Tennis Helm EDITOR’S NOTE: This article originally appeared in the Aug. 20 edition of the Press & Dakotan. A new school year means a new tennis season for the Yankton Gazelles. While the Gazelles have several returners that are familiar faces, they will have a very important unfamiliar face to the Yankton tennis team. Rhonda Hofer will act in her first season as the head coach. Hofer has been a coach and teacher in the Yankton school system for over 30 years. “Practices have been going well,” said Hofer. “Our roster will include ten high school students and they are eager for the season to get going.” With their new coach, the Gazelles’ preparation for the upcoming season has been going on for some time now. During the summer, the team had ‘hit-a-rounds’ twice a week, and with the season approaching, the Gazelles have had two practices a day for nearly a week and a half. “The girls have put in a lot of work toprepare for the season,” said Hofer. “Between hard work in the summer and pre-season, we hope to see it pay off.” The Gazelles have also got a bit of guidance from another source. The players traveled to Vermillion for a workout with University of South Dakota women’s’ tennis head coach Brett Barnett. A few players to watch for Yankton include senior Anne Knoff Sophie Kouri, who looks to be the outlet of leadership for the Gazelles. Other players include junior Anne Knoff and freshman Josephine Krajewski, who are two other Gazelles who look to have strong seasons, as both return with past varsity experience. “We have a good group with some young talent and some veteran leaders,” said Hofer. With a roster that includes 10 high school students, Hofer hopes that the small Gazelles roster will add a few middle school players to the roster. “We will go to the middle school and see if any young player have interest in joining the team,” said Hofer. “We will allow any middle schoolers to join us late so that they can gain experience as a tennis player.” The Gazelles opened the season on their home court, going 1-2 in a quadrangular on Aug. 20. Follow @bigheadbenny13 on Twitter. Yankton girls’ tennis coach Rhonda Hofer addresses the gathering at the YHS Booster Club Kickoff on Aug. 22. YANKTON Girls’ Tennis (1-2) 8/20 vs. Vermillion (9-0)/Stevens (1-8)/ Watertown (1-8) 8/26 at Brookings/vs. Aberdeen/ Harrisburg 1 p.m. 8/27 Brookings Jamboree 9 a.m. 9/2 at Mitchell/vs. Pierre 2 p.m. 9/8 vs. Vermillion 4 p.m. 9/9 Brandon Valley Inv. 9 a.m. 9/10 at Roosevelt/vs. Roncalli 9 a.m. 9/13 at Mitchell/vs. Lincoln 11 a.m. 9/15 at Vermillion 4 p.m. 9/19 at Madison/vs. Brandon Valley 9 a.m. 9/22 at Washington/vs. Harrisburg 11 a.m. 9/24 at Brookings/vs. Milbank 10 a.m. 9/29 ESD (Brandon) 8 a.m. 10/6-8 State (Rapid City) Yankton Softball Team Opens At 3-3 FROM P&D STAFF REPORTS The Yankton Gazelles softball team returns six regulars from a squad that posted an 11-18 regular season a year ago. Leading the way is shortstop Bailey Kortan, who batted .560 with three home runs and 24 RBI a season ago. Alix Peterka (.333, 23 RBI), Bailey Peterka (.329, 19 RBI), Lily Ryken (.323, 14 RBI), Lexie McCorkell (.313, 5 RBI) and Taylor Bauder (.261, 6 RBI) also return after playing more than 20 games last season. Three other players who saw limited time return: Bridget Nolz (.476, 5 RBI), Brook Madson (.333) and Payton Vellek (0-2). Nolz (1-0) and Lexie McCorkell (5-10) return from last season’s pitching staff, a group that is bolstered by the addition of Holly Mines. Also on the Gazelles’ varsity-JV roster are Lexi Madson, Holly Mines (2) Soccer YANKTON Softball (3-3) 8/15 vs. Washington (DH) 3-13/2-12 8/21 vs. West Central 9-8 vs. Dell Rapids 6-2 8/22 at O’Gorman 1-17/7-3 8/25 at Brandon Valley (DH) * 8/29 at Roosevelt (DH) 6 p.m. 9/2-3 Rapid City Trip 9/6 at Washington (DH) 6 p.m. 9/12 vs. O’Gorman (DH) 6 p.m. 9/17 ESD Tourn. (Watertown) TBA 9/19 vs. Lincoln (DH) 6 p.m. 9/30-10/1 State (Sioux Falls) * - Games held after press deadline (NOTE: Complete Schedule Not Available) Paige Gullikson, Merlye Mason, Megan McCorkell, Chloe Koletzky, Sydney Goeden, Ashton Simentel, Elsie Marquardt, Rachel Hamburg, Bailey Wieseler, Sarah Stoddard, Taryn Bailey, Faith Sparks, Olivia Larson, Hailey Adam, Larkyn Mason, Trinity Fitch, Tori Herrboldt, Chloe Garry and Shelby Mach. The Gazelles opened their season on Aug. 15 and are 3-3 as of Aug. 22. FROM PAGE 8 ger leaders. He’s come back more potent, more strong, more of a commander. Isaac Schulz’s skill has really improved,” Brenner said. “Isaac Klimisch played a little varsity last year. He has solid foot skills. Nathan was a cross country runner last year. He brings a desire to win and the focus to get the job done.” Senior defender Steven Bray, junior striker Alex Cutler, sophomore defender Paxton Heinz and sophomore midfielder Price Jensen will also play key roles, Brenner noted. Much of the work in the off-season was focused on getting everyone on the same page. “We’ve stressed communication, coming together,” Schulz said. Returning all but three players from a season ago has helped, according to Wolfgram. “We know what each other can do,” he said. “So we can make better passes, have better chemistry.” The Bucks play a 12-match schedule — all eight ESD Tessier FROM PAGE 8 Schuring noted. “Her biggest assets are her size and speed,” he said. “She can move around the field well. She’s always working, whether it’s to set up Cole Lewno (7) opponents, plus all four Sioux Falls Class AA schools. Several teams could contend for the ESD title this season. “Aberdeen, Watertown and Brookings will be challenging. They all return quality players,” Brenner said. “Pierre could step right in there as well.” The goal for the Bucks is to get well past last season’s quarterfinal finish, Schulz said. “We’re looking to make it all the way,” he said. “It will be tough. But if we work together and do all of the things we’ve been practicing, we should make it there.” The Bucks opened the season with two wins and a tie in their first three matches. Follow @JCimburek on Twitter. PREMIUM BEST TRANSPORT 1501 Wek Road Yankton, SD 57078 605-665-9202 Longtime Yankton Coach Excited For Opportunity BY BEN HEGGE tennis experience have offered assistance to Hofer and the program in any way possible. These people include With a new girls’ tennis season upon us, the Yankton people like Sarah Rockne and Gazelles will have a new face Mike Briggs who have been very involved in the tennis leading the way. scene in Yankton for years. Rhonda Hofer will act as Often times it takes time the Gazelles head coach for to build a relationship and the 2016 season. Despite beget comfortable when a team ing her first year as a tennis coach, Hofer has many years acquires a new coach, however, this situation is different. of coaching experience. While Hofer may be new to “I have been coaching sports, whether basketball or the Gazelles tennis program, she is not an unfamiliar face volleyball, since 1980,” said to the team. Hofer. “This will be my first “I have taught all of the year coaching tennis and, I returners in the high school am excited to work with a and am familiar with the great group of girls.” team,” said Hofer. “All of the Taking over as the head girls are great to work with coach was not an overnight and can’t wait for the season thought. It is something Hofer has been excited about to get going.” The first action of the for a while. “They contacted me when year was Aug. 20, when the Gazelles went 1-2 in a home there was an opening and it sounded like a great opportu- quadrangular. “The whole team is exnity,” said Hofer. “I have been cited,” said Hofer. “The girls preparing and have got a lot of help from last year’s coach have been working hard with ‘hit-a-rounds’ twice a week (Kim Velk).” during the summer and ‘twoWith over 30 years of experience, there is no question a-days’ for the past week. The Hofer has great knowledge as team has been working hard.” With over 30 years of a coach. Mastering all of the coaching experience in “X’s and O’s” of tennis has been one of the biggest chal- Yankton and help of several key resources, Hofer and the lenges said Hofer. Gazelles are set up for a suc“I have done a lot of studying and have contacted cessful 2016 campaign. several people for help.” Said Follow @bigheadbenny13 Hofer. on Twitter. Volunteers with years of sports@yankton.net herself or a teammate.” Another asset has been her willingness to fill in where needed. “Last year she worked a lot in the midfield a lot,” he said. “This year we need her to be that leader up front, finish off goals up there.” While Tessier “tries not to think about it,” she knows that her college decision is looming: not just where to go but what sport to continue playing. “Ideally, I’d like to do basketball or soccer in college,” she said. “Whatever one I am playing at the moment is my favorite. It’s a tough decision.” Follow @JCimburek on Twitter. Gramps 4th & Burleigh, Yankton 668-9500 W. 21st St. 665-9311 Yankton, SD 57078