Consistency Key to Success For Simley Doubles Tandem

Consistent.

That's how Jake Short and Nate Eddy describe each other. Short, a sophomore, and Eddy, a freshman, have teamed up to become the top doubles team on a greatly-improved Simley High School tennis team.

Eddy says Short has the speed needed to make up ground in a hurry. Short says Eddy is just a steady player who plays a solid all-around game. While neither possess the height and net presence of 6'4" senior teammate Tom Wagner — which can be a major advantage in doubles play – they know their strengths and try to
force their opponents to play their game.

"We have good chemistry," said Short, a standout running back on the Simley football team and a champion wrestler. "We play similar styles and try not to do too much. We just try to be consistent in everything we do and feed off that."

Eddy agrees.

"The thing I like about doubles is there are shorter points," he said. "There isn't as much volleying back and forth to get those points. It's more fast-paced and the points come quicker. I think that can be to our advantage at times because we both like to play that style."

The Spartans are 9-5 with one match to go before section play begins. Second-year head coach Clay Sollenberger believes he has the right pieces in place by teaming Short and Eddy together.

"Jake is a fantastic competitor," says Sollenberger. "He's had great success in football and wrestling and in the past I think he may have played tennis just for fun, but I think he now approaches the game with the same competitive mind set he does a wrestling match. He works really hard and when guys see that, they feed off that energy."

Eddy is part of the "future centerpiece" of Simley tennis, Sollenberger says. His father Dean is an avid tennis player and volunteer assistant coach. He has younger brothers that will likely make an impact on the Simley tennis program in the future. Soft-spoken and ultra-polite, Eddy is fluid on the court and let's his play do the talking.

"He's developing into a great tennis player," said Sollenberger. "And he's developing into a leader."

Success won't be easy once sections begin, said Sollenberger. Short and Eddy will be listed as the number one doubles team for the Spartans — but the competition is tough.

"Just about every team has two formidable players they can put together at number one doubles," said Sollenberger. "But these guys will be up to the challenge. They like to compete and won't be afraid to give it their best shot."