Cheney boys' tennis continues to rebuild

If Dan Estock can transfer his passion for the game of tennis into what happens on the courts for the Cheney High School boys’ team the Greater Spokane League might watch out.

In his third year guiding the program after taking over for long-time coach Jessie Erickson, Estock is working trying to build things back after the toll COVID-19 took on his program.

And Erickson has been there every step it seems.

“He’s a pretty fantastic guy to have on your side,” Estock said. “He’s been like our number one cheerleader,” and is also on the court to provide additional coaching as needed.

The biggest challenge Estock faces is getting numbers back to be competitive in the move to the 3A Greater Spokane League from the 2A Great Northern. Cheney is now three seasons into the transition.

In 2021 when Estock took over, he could only muster six players, which doesn’t even field one varsity team. He’s competing against schools like Mount Spokane where turnout is in the 40s.

“They have a JV (junior varsity) for their JV,” Estock said.

Last season was admittedly “pretty rough,” Estock said, but the program had grown to 16, “And we notched a few wins,” he added over the likes of Shadle Park, East Valley, G-Prep, North Central and Central Valley.

“That was kind of some nice, positive momentum,” Estock said. “We can hang here with the GSL,” was the takeaway.

While the growth in numbers is welcome, the Blackhawks have as many freshmen as seniors.

“We lost our number one singles (player) last year,” Estock said in Brandon Blazekovic.

But there are a handful of players who will vie for that, and other spots. They include Hunter Passey (senior) played at No. 2 singles last year, Connor Gall (senior) was No. 3 singles in 2022 and No. 4, Jacob Estock (sophomore).

Senior, Colin Chen and Sam Frenk, a junior, played doubles last year, but will try to crack the singles rotation.

“Juniors Aiden Flanary and Logan Konrad are expected to be a solid No. 1 doubles team for us,” Estock said.

There are behind-the-scenes efforts taking place to grow the sport in Cheney across all ages, perhaps, making the job in the future as little easier in filling not just varsity but JV feeder teams.

Estock and Erickson are trying to “build the culture of tennis,” by regularly taking to the courts and playing around town.

These “open court” Saturday sessions are open to anyone and everyone, tennis abilities not necessarily needed, Estock explained.

“We’re gonna’ try to get the word out to the whole community. Anybody that wants to come play with us are gonna’ find someone at their level to play with,” Estock said.

The grassroots effort will hopefully instill the sport early, because it is something that can be played for one’s entire life, Estock reminded.

Paul Delaney is a retired Free Press Publishing reporter and can be reached at [email protected].