When Eric Dorward was named assistant boys' tennis coach in January, he hoped his first coaching gig would allow him to ease into the craft while learning behind an experienced head coach.

Now Dorward, an algebra teacher, is the man who was asked Monday night by the Littlestown Area School District directors to lead the Thunderbolts this spring.

Former Littlestown head coach Ryan Cleary has accepted an assistant coaching position under Bob Brubaker at Biglerville High, the same school at which Cleary teaches. Cleary's exit by resignation at Monday's meeting came before he coached a match for a squad that struggled last season under then-head coach James Jones.

Last season, Littlestown finished 0-12 overall and 0-8 in YAIAA Division II. The Bolts' top player, Juan Garcia, who has since graduated, finished 4-8 in singles play.

This season, the Bolts look to return four players who tallied statistics last season, but as for a lineup, Dorward hasn't seen enough from any player to pencil him in yet.

"From my perspective, it's obviously a major change for me because I wasn't expecting to take the reins fully by myself," Dorward said. "From the players' perspectives, I honestly can't tell you. Of all the students out here, I only have one in class."

That one is a senior, but a fresh face all the same. Kritin Ratanaserikiat -- an exchange student from Thailand -- joins Nathan Barnes as one of only two on the young squad. A third senior and the team's former No. 6

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player, Matt Barrick, is on the team's roster, but his status is uncertain because of work conflicts with practice times.

Barnes -- who played in the No. 2 spot last season -- knows he will be counted to help Dorward get his bearings as head coach.

Dorward made it clear he will rely heavily on Barnes' knowledge of the team to help him along.

"I rely on basically my seniors to give me a good idea as to what's going on because obviously I've never coached at all before, let alone as a head coach," Dorward said. "So I have a decent amount of support with the players and with the athletic department."

Two of those seniors aren't players, but are managers. Katie Perez and Molly Plank -- two former players who excelled under Cleary's tutelage in the fall -- will be utilized like assistants, Dorward said.

Although Barnes said he was surprised when he learned Cleary would not be his coach, the Bolts' senior quickly began looking forward to the coming season.

Despite the fact he's expected to play for three different head coaches in the past 11 months, Barnes said it hasn't affected his preparation much.

"Yes and no," Barnes said. "It's an individual sport, but at the same time, having a good leadership figure in it is very helpful as well, but Mr. Dorward so far has done very well with us. I look forward to the season so far."

tjohnson@eveningsun.com