BATH

For most reigning playoff teams, the preseason is about getting the group back together and gearing up for another run. The Morse High School tennis team is no exception, but for the Shipbuilders, the preseason, like any other time of the year is mainly about having fun.

Like many local teams so far this spring, Morse was practicing indoors on Friday, avoiding a looming thunderstorm. It was the second time already that the team had been forced inside that opening week, and for coach Steve Boyce, practices in the gym mean one thing — fitness.

“When we come inside, the first thing we can focus on that makes the most sense is getting in shape,” Boyce said of his 2015 Regional finalist.

“It’s good to hit balls in here, but there’s not a ton of space,” said Thomas Jarmusz, who is slated to play in the No. 1 singles slot this season. “Fitness seems to be something that you don’t need as much space for.”

To begin practice, the team was spread out across three mini nets on the gym floor. Four or five players to each court, the players hit back and forth with softer, bigger training tennis balls. As far as strokes go, Matthew Jarmusz said he and his teammates were working on things like drop shots and “hitting lightly” while playing “mini tennis.”

Boyce noted that practicing indoors isn’t just a change of pace for his squad — it’s difficult. The Shipbuilders are used to real tennis balls and regulation sized courts, which calls for some adjusting.

“They want to hit the ball hard,” Boyce said. “This forces them to control it, which is great for going outside. But it can be frustrating because the ball just doesn’t do all the things you want it to. Basically, you make do.”

Back together

One thing Boyce doesn’t have to worry about this season is getting to know too many new players. The Jarmusz brothers are back for the Shipbuilders, along with juniors Colin Bradford, Cade Schurz, Colin McCarthy and Matthew Leclerc. The familiarity makes for smooth season preparation.

“It’s great. Having kids that you know kind of makes the first couple weeks easier,” Boyce said. “The best part is, they know my temperament and what I’m looking for, and I pretty much know when they’re giving me all they can and when they’re kind of fooling.”

“It’s great to have the same guys back, because they know how it works,” Thomas Jarmusz said. “They know the scoring and how the team works together, and it’s just fun to see old faces.”

Thomas Jarmusz said the first couple weeks of practices are nice because everyone’s back together, and on top of re-acquainting with old teammates, he gets to meet the new players. But there are also some little off the court things to work out.

“It’s good just to get out and start hitting,” he said. “You’re stiff and you’re like ‘oh I have to re-string my racquet or this grip’s all bad and my shoes don’t fit anymore’ so it’s good to get all set to go, so when the real season starts, there’s nothing to worry about.”

From a coach’s perspective, the first couple weeks are about getting the squad in order. Even with so many returning players, Boyce needs time to place everyone into the lineup accordingly.

“Tennis is unique in that we have seven scoring players,” he said. “In theory, those should be your top seven players. In the first couple weeks, we have to kind of re-educate everybody to playing tennis, and then we have to figure out who those seven are.”

To do so, the players will play each other in challenge matches to help determine their positions.

“That’s the important part — to get everyone back to having a feel of tennis and then figuring out who should be where,” Boyce said.

As of now, Thomas Jarmusz is slated to retain his No. 1 singles position from last season, while Matthew Jarmusz will move up to the No. 2 spot from No. 3. Though, like the other spots in the lineup, nothing is set in stone just yet.

Another run

Last season, Morse won the Kennebec Valley Athletic Conference crown en route to a deep postseason run. The Shipbuilders finished 13-2 after falling to Cape Elizabeth in the Western B Regional final.

For Boyce, the run was less about accolades and more about the experience. The group is poised for another run, and learned plenty from the matches.

“ The run was fun,” Boyce said. “It was something most of these guys have never been a part of. They were thrilled being at the Regional final, so that kind of wet the appetite.”

Boyce said the key to the run was strong singles play from the top three of Thomas Jarmusz, Stephen Tapia and Matthew Jarmusz. Even more than their play on the court, Boyce said the Jarmusz brothers bring back a belief.

“We can still get there, we just have to maybe do it a little bit differently,” he said. “They know they can do it, and they want to be back.”

That said, the brothers will be key as far as tennis goes too, and are expected to lead the way both on and off the court.

“ I expect them to provide the right example,” Boyce said of the Jarmuszs. “ It’s not just the competitive drive that they have, it’s the sportsmanship, it’s the camaraderie they end up forming with the opponent, and just the respect for the game.”

Despite slightly altered competition this season, like reigning Eastern B champs Camden Hills leaving Class B for Class A, the formula for Morse won’t change — take it match by match. Regardless of who the Shipbuilders play, another deep run is all in Boyce’s and the players’ control.

“ You never know,” he said. “There are exchange students that come in, there are freshman that come in that are superstars. So, it has to be match-by-match. You play it by ear. If you have to make changes, you have to make changes, but hopefully you don’t.”

“I’m trying to take one match at a time,” Thomas Jarmusz said. “I’d love to do that again, because it’s fun. The more you win, the more you get to play.”

For Jarmusz, success is just as much about attitude as it is ability.

“ Last year, we did our best to have fun and play good tennis,” Thomas Jarmusz said. “And I think this year we have some good opponents again and as long as we’re having fun, practicing well, and being friendly and happy, we’ll do well.”

“ Hopefully playing as well as last year,” Matthew Jarmusz said of the upcoming schedule that begins on April 14 at Gardiner, 4 p. m. “ Doing our best in every match. That’s all you can hope to do.”

Boyce expects the strong singles play to be there again this year, and will look to the doubles court as a difference maker. If the Shipbuilders can do well in doubles, the postseason will likely come again.

“I think we can because we have a bunch of juniors that have been playing doubles,” he said. “They’re beginning to understand what it takes.”

In the end, though, the playoffs are not the only important aspect for the Shipbuilders this season.

“It doesn’t matter to me if we don’t,” Thomas Jarmusz said of a potential postseason run this year. “I honestly enjoy the practices more than the matches because you get to talk and have fun.”

“ Winning is great, but having fun in the season is probably the most important,” Matthew Jarmusz said.

Playoffs or not, fans can count on the Shipbuilders having fun this season.

“ The fun part is, and this year’s no exception, they’re good kids,” Boyce said. “They’re fun to hang out with for eight weeks or so.”