Font Resize"We had open tennis and we did a lot of physical conditioning," Ryan Cleary said about the voluntary workouts. "Some of the girls were scratching their heads at first.
"I said, 'This has nothing to do with a topspin lob, but if you have better conditioning, it's something that pays off in the end.'"
A former wrestler at New Oxford High, Cleary and his plan to improve the Lady Bolts' stamina paid off in a big way for a program which struggled to find victories for many years.
In fact, Littlestown came away with an 11-5 record, its first winning mark in more than 15 years. That revival of the Lady Bolts gives the first-year head coach his first All-Area Coach of the Year honor and his school's first such honor in tennis.
Clearly, Cleary was more than a physical trainer for a team with had veteran players but little tradition. However, learning of his team's court experience entering the 2009 season, he said he increased his expectations, starting with those workouts.
"I said, 'You know what, guys? I think we can really do some damage this season. Make some noise and fly under the radar, which is a good thing.'" Cleary said.
It didn't take long for the radar to find Littlestown, though. The Lady Bolts won their five of their first six matches, eventually beat five of six YAIAA Division I rivals
However, Cleary noted it took more than conditioning to find success. That same conditioning fostered team unity.
"I reminded them that it's something I heard in high school," he said. "You're only as strong as your weakest player."
Therefore, he said, he encouraged players to pair up with teammates they hadn't considered for doubles and to encourage the junior varsity players once their matches were done.
Along the way, Cleary said he stressed shot placement among his better players and long rallies by his less talented or younger players to achieve results.
"What most high school kids do, they see guys on TV and want to hit it as hard as they can," he said. "It's difficult to downshift seeing what you see on TV and playing at a level you should play at."
There were only 11 players, so Cleary, who got needed help from former head coach Kris Hinkley during the season, worked personally with the younger players. He hopes they will be the core of next year's squad as only three of this season's 11 players may return in 2010.
In the meantime, Cleary is hoping those same players can encourage others to try tennis -- even if the workouts which precede it are challenging.
"That's something I relayed to them to tell their younger friends," Cleary said. "We may do flutter-kicks, pushups and sprints, but we do well and we work hard. The best advertising is word of mouth."
