Eaton girls tennis is preparing to dominate the 2025 season. They are currently in the process of hiring an assistant coach, but head coach, Mike Brisendine, is not letting this stop him from getting the season rolling. Open court hitting is beginning to pick up as the Reds get closer to their first practice.
Mike Brisendine has been the Eaton High School head coach for around 15 years, so he is experienced and knows what it takes to run the program well. To ensure that the girls are keeping their skills fresh over summer break, he offers open-court hitting all summer long on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
The Colorado winter prevents the tennis team from training during the winter, but open court begins again as soon as the weather allows. The season officially begins on Feb. 24 where the team will begin practicing. The first match is Mar. 6, and the girls will take on Northridge. The team was victorious against the Grizzlies last season, so they are aiming to come out with the victory once again.
The one issue that falls into place is the need for an assistant coach. The coaching job has changed multiple times over the last few seasons, so the school is determined to find a coach that will stay for years to come. “We are looking for someone who knows the game, has played the game, and is able to be a great coach by helping a person when they need it, ” said Brisendine. “There has to be some investment in there, and you have to love the game, and love the people you are coaching.” Brisendine takes these values seriously when he coaches, so he wants to find an assistant that will do that same.
The application process has been open for a few weeks, and the hiring committee is disappointed with the lack of applicants. Nevertheless, the position must be filled before the season starts.
Standout returners for the Reds include seniors Evelyn Gavette and Lily Kennedy. These two are the only seniors on the roster for the 2025 season, so they will definitely have to step into the leadership role. Gavette said, “We are gonna act as leaders by starting the season off strong, setting a precedent, and setting our expectations for the season early.” She believes these things will help the team be successful throughout the entire season.
Kennedy and Gavette have been doubles partners for their entire tennis careers at the high school, excluding the time Gavette was out with an injury. The chemistry between these two has only grown over their seasons playing together, so they are aiming to be one or two doubles, as they were three doubles last year. They placed third in state last year, so Brisendine knows they are capable of beating tougher competition.
Brisendine cares deeply for his team, and wants them to succeed. He has high goals for his talented team for the 2025 season, as he thinks they are capable of achieving great things. “We’ve got a tough schedule, but the goal this year is going to be to win our league and then go to regionals, and for the first time since 2017, take a full team to state,” said Brisendine.
The Reds tennis team is bound for a successful and unforgettable season.
