GAME ON The Sideline: Coach Risch

GAME ON The Sideline: Coach Risch

Q&A with Tiffany Risch, Coventry HS Tennis Coach

What is your coaching experience?

I have been the head boys’ and girls’ tennis coach at Coventry High School for the past 5 years. This is my first experience coaching tennis formally at the high school level. Previously, I played under Coach Tony Orapello at Amsterdam High School in Amsterdam, NY, who is currently ranked, 6th in the state of New York with 306 total girls’ tennis wins. He is an unbelievable example to follow.

GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLAST

What are you looking forward to for this season?

I’m looking forward to a rebuilding year with my boys’ tennis team, as I lost 7 seniors last year to graduation. It will be interesting to see how much each new player learns as the season progresses, and as they grow older in the program each year.

What’s been your greatest success as a coach?

My greatest success as a coach so far has been turning the tennis program around at Coventry High School. My goal is to make the program as competitive as in the 1990’s when Coach John Macomber led the teams to division and state championships. So far, I have led the girls’ team to a division championship in 2009, and took them to the state finals. The boys’ team has made the playoffs within the past few years, and as the program grows, I am hoping for a division title for them also.

What’s been your biggest failure?

To date, I cannot say I really have experienced failure at coaching. I look at every situation as a learning experience.

Who have been the best players you’ve coached?

Kassandra Lima was a fantastic player who went on to play at RIC, Haylee McHale was always consistent on the court and would wear down players, and Jeff Ferrara was a skilled player who knew the game well. Current players that I categorize as the best include Scott Botelho, Richard Sharkey, Mackenzie Richter, and Kate Donovan. More experience will better their game with time.

How do you motivate your players?

I motivate my players with words of encouragement and praise. I also instill in them my own desire to be competitive, and show them that hard work and dedication will only help to improve them over time. When I first took over coaching in Coventry, I promised the freshmen girls’ back in 2006 a banner hanging in the gym. In 2009 when they were Seniors, it came true. The best feeling was when they came up to me after the season and said, “Coach, you were right!”