What a racquet

Before February Justin Carlson had never even picked up a tennis racquet. The former baseball player didn't even own one when it came time to try out for Culpeper County High School's tennis team. So the CCHS junior borrowed one.
He may not want to give it back.

Carlson has moved his way through the exhibition ranks to firmly plant himself in the No. 7 spot on the Blue Devils team, just an injury away from moving into the top six of CCHS's rotation.

"I always have to be ready to jump into the top six," Carlson said. "Randy (Smyth) got hurt last week so I got to play in the top six."

Carlson is one of six exhibition players CCHS head coach Ron Hutchins has on the tennis team, six players that could any moment step into the varsity spotlight.

Carlson and fellow junior Brett Praley have already made it part of the way there, both filling spots on a doubles team.

Carlson teams with Jimmy Ruffo to form the Blue Devils' No. 2 doubles squad, while Praley and Randy Smyth are the Devils' No. 3 team.

Carlson, who left baseball because he "wasn't feeling it anymore", was wooed to tennis by Ruffo.

"Jimmy said 'hey, we can play doubles, come on over,' so I did," Carlson said.

But he couldn't have expected to make it through the ranks as quickly as he did, going from a first-time player in February to a doubles contributor by April.

He credits his growth with the experience he gained in singles exhibition matches.

"The exhibition is cool because the challenge makes you more competitive and helps you get to a higher level," Carlson said.

Hutchins has been impressed by the competitiveness and desire of all six of his exhibition players, and added a compliment for Praley and Carlson.

"They are good athletes and they'll hustle down any ball in any spot," Hutchins said. "They (Praley and Carlson) truly complement the veterans that are playing in the doubles."

For an exhibition player, the trick is to think it's a "live" match and to prepare accordingly, according to Carlson.

"(I) still just pretend it's a real match and work on getting the ball in," Carlson said. "He has us not overpower the ball and just work on accuracy. We're not like pros out here but we still need to work on getting the balls in."

And the exhibition players have been doing a good job of getting the balls in, enough so to keep them in the back of the coaches' mind when it comes to his rotation.

"These guys are constantly challenging as far as team spots," Hutchins said. "They are willing to help anybody at any time at any place. They're very coachable."

Daniel Lewis was further down the ladder last season, according to Hutchins, but this year he has made a tremendous effort to move up in the Devils' rotation.

"You almost have to knock him down and drag him off the court in the evening, even when it's dark," Hutchins said.

Ian Walker and Aidan Karnes, both freshmen, have made impressive strides for the Blue Devils.

"Ian is very hungry as far as playing," Hutchins said. "He's come along fine and he's been a nice addition."

Karnes, another former baseball player, has impressed Hutchins with his athleticism.

"He decided to change and come out for the sport," Hutchins said. "I was excited to see the talent he has. I see him taking his game up a step or two each time he's out here at practice."
Greg Furnival rounds out the exhibition roster.

"He's too nice a guy," Hutchins said. "The strokes are his, he's a real coachable young man. He'd rather give up a point than try to steal it from you."

Hutchins, who is only allowed to work with the players from February to May according to Virginia High School League rules, credits the players' off-season work for their improvement and development. Most players work out at the Culpeper Sport and Racquet Club or with Ernie Locsin at the Country Club of Culpeper.

And their work in the exhibition season helps them learn more about the sport and how to improve.

"I think a lot of it is court knowledge, court positioning," Hutchins said. "They need to know when to move in, when to stay back, know enough not to rush in on a powder puff shot."
But the most important aspect is practice.

"You have to get out there and hit," Hutchins said. "I think everybody I have is extremely dedicated."

But to hit, you have to have a racquet. And now that Carlson has played more, he's leaning toward buying one.

"Maybe I will, now that I'm getting better," Carlson said with a laugh.

Jeff Say can be reached at 825-0771 ext. 115 or at .