Sedona Red Rock High School is beginning its tennis season with a senior in search of a ladder.

Senior Max Hauserman is the unchallenged top boys singles player atop the varsity ladder.

“Max is clearly our best player,” said Duane Edwards, Scorpions head boys tennis coach. “He is our catalyst, our leader and rightfully so. He has put a lot of work in.”

Hauserman will need stronger singles performances, though, from his supporting cast to reverse a four-match losing streak that continued Thursday, Feb. 26, at SRRHS, with an 8-1 loss against Scottsdale Preparatory Academy.

“It was a tough loss to start the season, but they let it roll off their shoulders and were ready to go the next day,” Edwards said. “I like this team’s attitude. Our weakness has to be a lack of match experience. We lost some key players from last year and our new kids must step up.”

Most of the boys, in fact, had no more than two matches of varsity experience going into their Feb. 26 opener.

“As I told the kids, it is not about where we start, but where we finish,” Edwards said. “There is no doubt we struggled last year, but the only way to improve upon last year’s showing is to work hard and remain focused.”

The Scorpions have not won more than two singles and doubles matches against an opponent since their last victory April 12 at Page High School, 7-2.

For more photos, season schedule and the full story, please see the Wednesday, March 4, issue of the Sedona Red Rock News.