Boys High School Tennis Season Goes On

This fall, most of the boys’ high school tennis seasons in Nebraska went on as usual, despite the ongoing pandemic. Omaha Public Schools did not have fall sports.

For those that did, more safety protocols have been put into place at the matches including; wearing masks on and off the courts (not during play), limited visitors also wearing masks, physical distancing, hand sanitizer stations, and no hand-shaking at the conclusion of matches.  

Karen Plachy’s twins, Clare and Joe, are seniors and both play high school tennis at Pius X in Lincoln. Clare’s junior season was canceled in the spring, but Joe’s has gone on as he plays #1 singles for the Thunderbolts. Plachy said there are other notable differences this season including no group snacks at the matches, no team water jugs and no team dinners. 

“Joe has not complained at all,” she said. “It was a bummer Clare couldn’t play, but it’s just the way life works out sometimes.”

Jamison Whiston has two boys, Jacob and Gabe, who play on Lincoln’s East tennis team. One of the biggest differences this season he’s noticed is the practice protocol. The boys do self-checks before entering the court, and the coaches ask questions related to their health on a daily basis. Also, there were no team pictures this year. However, after the girls’ season was canceled, they feel grateful to even have a season. 

“Both the boys and parents are all extremely happy to be playing and feel fortunate we are having a season at all (especially the seniors),” Whiston said. “Everyone is hopeful it can be sustained all the way to the state tournament.”

The Nebraska State High School State Championships are October 15-16, 2020. Class A is at Koch Tennis Center in Omaha, and Class B is at Woods Tennis Center in Lincoln.