Chris Caporale, sports@wolfrivermedia.com
MATT ZOLL
Matt Zoll, a physical education teacher at Shawano Community Middle School, is set to take over the Shawano Community High School girls tennis program after its one-year run under former head coach Brian Beyer.
Zoll, who has spent time with the Shawano football, basketball and golf programs, helped teach children how to play tennis at the Las Vegas Inner-City Games in 1999 and 2000, but has no previous experience as a head tennis coach.
Once he heard about Beyer stepping down in the spring, Zoll moved quickly to fill the unfamiliar role.
“It seemed like an enjoyable sport to coach and become involved in,” Zoll said. “I did not want it to be a program that was waiting for a coach, so that was why I initiated the contact with (Activities Director Charmaine) Schreiber.”
Zoll has gotten to know the girls on the team through his work with the SCHS band.
“I’ve always viewed it as a fun program to be a part of, and the girls involved in it, from a character standpoint, have been some of the nicest and highest-quality kids I’ve seen in our schools,” Zoll said.
Despite the move from Beyer after one season, Schreiber believes Zoll can keep the program moving in the right direction.
“He’s familiar with the student body,” Schreiber said. “He’ll have some of his former students (as players).”
Zoll has yet to set any expectations for the team this season, which will include WIAA Division 1 subsectional play against powerhouses Green Bay Southwest and Notre Dame Academy.
“I want the girls to work hard, have fun and to enjoy the sport, and to learn some character and leadership out of being a part of a program,” Zoll said.
Practices begin Aug. 9. The team has its first tournament Aug. 15 in Bay Port.