BAINBRIDGE – Jennifer Anne Shorr has taken over as head coach of the co-ed tennis team at Bainbridge High School, just in time for the upcoming spring season.

Shorr is a certified United States Professional Tennis Association coach with more than 30 years of experience and has worked as a coach at the Bainbridge Athletic Club for more than four years as well.

“I’m really grateful for the opportunity,” Shorr said.

Shorr is stepping in to help the program following the unexpected death of former BHS Head Coach Mike Anderson in a tragic drowning accident in early September last year.

“I knew Mike Anderson pretty well,” Shorr said. “[That] was a terrible tragedy.”

Shorr said that she was uncertain at first if she would to take over the position, but with the encouragement of the club and many students and parents, as well, she decided to step in.

Her main goal, she explained, was to maintain the level of excellence already established and grow the program even more.

“I know most of the tennis players here on the island,” she said. “I’ve been their private coach in the past.”

Both the JV and assistant varsity coaches are returning to the team this season as well, Shorr said.

Among her other positions, Shorr was previously a coach with the Lakeside tennis team.

Anderson’s unexpected passing was a profound loss for the Spartans.

Still, Shorr is confident that when the time comes the student athletes will rise to the occasion and compete at their usual level.

“We’re in a tough league,” she said. “We’ve been one of the top five strongest teams.”

Team tryouts begin, Shorr said, March 2. Though the BHS program has a “no cut” policy in its tennis program, Shorr said that the tryouts were essential to see where everybody stands, who the potential team leaders are and to match up pairs.

Visit www.bisd303.org/Page/3995 to learn more about the BHS tennis program and its upcoming schedule.