Grand Forks Red River's unprecedented run of 108 straight dual victories and 10 straight North Dakota state boys tennis team titles has often been guided by a dominating No. 1 singles player.
Chad Smith, Zac Lunak, Ryan Smith, Josh Lunak. The list goes on.
The Roughriders of 2008, however, are a different bunch. Depth and youth characterize this team.
"It looks like the top of our lineup will be youth instead of senior leadership," Red River coach Greg LaDouceur said. "That's not necessarily a bad thing. These young guys have lots of playing experience."
When Red River opened its season Tuesday against Wahpeton, freshman Erik Johnson started at No. 1 singles. Classmate Joe Lee played at No. 4.
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"We don't have a team of one or two or three superstars," LaDouceur said. "We have an even balance of kids who at any time can beat each other."
Proven veterans and promising seventh-graders fill out the rest of Red River's lineup.
Junior Jake LaDouceur and senior Tyler Davis -- defending state doubles champions -- return, as well as junior Phil Yunker (state doubles runner-up) and senior Dhilhan Marasinghe (fifth place at East Region in singles).
"It's a little different this year; you have to have the whole team in there from one through six singles and one through three doubles," junior Jake LaDouceur said. "You don't have that power guy like before with Michael (Kraft) and Chad (Smith). But I still think we'll be solid."
Teams throughout the East Region and state graduated heavily from 2007. However, Fargo South returns a strong lineup and might have the best chance of snapping Red River's long run.
"They're going to give us all we want and then some," Greg LaDouceur said. "They have experience back. I think we'll have depth in that 6-3 (regular season) format. South will be a good match for us."
Red River's depth is due in part to a pair of impressive seventh-graders, Andre Caoili and Joey Anderson.
"They've beaten some older guys, but I don't know if they can do it on a consistent basis," Greg LaDouceur said. "Hopefully the strength of the older kids doesn't overburden them."
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There are also mental hurdles with youthful players.
"You just try to keep them confident," Jake LaDouceur said. "They get down on themselves easily. I try to tell them it's not the end of the world. Keep playing the game and they'll be fine."
Miller reports on sports. Reach him at (701) 780-1121; (800) 477-6572, ext. 121; or send e-mail to tmiller@gfherald.com .
