Ark Valley News - Team ends 40-year title drought

The Valley Center High School tennis team — (from left) Hayden Brauer, Brayden Ruble, Ian Clifton, Matt Klusener, Dean Schulz, Garrett Rogers and Colby Swift — celebrate after winning the Class 5A state title May 12 in Emporia.

Team ends 40-year title drought
By Chris Strunk
Last Updated: May 17, 2018

The drought is over.

The Valley Center High School tennis team won a Class 5A state team championship May 12 in Emporia, claiming the first sports team state championship for Valley Center High School since 1978 and the first-ever boys team title.

“It's a lot of firsts tonight, and that's kind of cool," said Caleb Smith, the school's athletic director. “I don't think they probably understand the history they made tonight for Valley Center."

Dean Schulz, who is in his 36th season with the Hornets, described the win as a lifetime accomplishment.

“They set their sights on this last fall, and they just worked at it," he said. “They spent time not only in practice but on their own, taking individual instruction. They were always at the courts hitting. They just believed in each other. That's what it takes."

Seniors Garrett Rogers and Ian Clifton, juniors Hayden Brauer and Colby Swift, sophomore Brayden Ruble, Schulz and assistant coach Matt Klusener celebrated on Court 4 at Emporia High School when it was over.

“That sounds awesome," Brauer said. “It hasn't been done for any sport in a very, very long time. And maybe the school will recognize the tennis team now, and that will really show everybody that hey, we've got a tennis team. I'm proud of it."

Rogers said the team has been working for a state title all season.

“We were hesitant to come out and say anything like, oh, we're taking state this year," Rogers said. “But we worked for it. Everybody worked. Everybody did their jobs. Everything worked out. It feels really good."

Holding the plaque in his hand, Clifton kept thinking about the day he returned to Valley Center High School for his senior year. Clifton lived in Topeka during the previous two seasons.

“I was in physics class. I literally just sat down and Garrett came running in the door and was like, ‘State tennis title. State tennis title. State tennis title,'" Clifton said. “I was like, alright, let's do it. Let's do it. That's what we've been working for all season. Now it's here and we're done with high school. It's unreal. It is unbelievable."

Swift found it difficult to describe the accomplishment.

“It feels really good, really good. I don't know. Words don't really describe how happy I am," he said. “… State title, baby."

Smith said it's not easy to win state titles in any sport.

“We knew were going to have a really good team, but I don't think anybody knew they were going to be state champ caliber," Smith said. “They've really drawn close. There's a lot of chemistry here you see. I think that, mixed with confidence, has given them this opportunity."

Brauer placed third in singles. Clifton and Rogers were third in doubles. Ruble and Swift were eighth in doubles.

Valley Center edged perennial power Salina Central by three team points, 34-31.

The Hornets also won Ark Valley Chisholm Trail League II and Class 5A regional titles this season.

“They just all believed in each other," Schulz said.

While Schulz praised his players, he also recognized the contributions of students from the past, building the program toward success.

“We could've had an individual championship somewhere along the line, but to have no individual champions and for them to work to get a team title, it's pretty awesome," he said. “… There are a lot of guys who are part of the legacy, part of the history. All of the players that came before set the stage. … The guys who have come along and gotten league championships, regional championships, individual championships, it all builds and eventually, it leads to this."

Players said the championship was for Schulz as much as it was for them and the school.

“He's such a big part of this team," Brauer said. “He's always open for options. He always tells you what you're doing wrong and what you need to do. It's awesome that he could finally get one after all the hard work."

Rogers said they wanted to bring home a title for Schulz.

“He's been helping us out our whole careers," Rogers said.

“He's been there for us," Clifton said. “… He is family, honestly."

Smith said Schulz deserves the accolades.

“Coach Schulz is just a class act," he said. “There's just not anybody else in Valley Center history that's more deserving of this title and recognition. It's just such a special thing to have that on his resume now. He's done so much for so many people. … Coach Schulz is everything Valley Center is supposed to be and I'm just so happy for him that he got this."

For Klusener, too, the championship has been a long time coming.

Klusener has been assistant coach for the boys team for nine seasons and assistant for the girls for 23.

“It felt like a dream come true," he said. “For every athlete that's ever played and coach that's ever coached, the dream is to go out and win a championship. Our kids did three — league, regional and state. … I'm so happy for the guys."

Though there have been a variety of individual state champions in Valley Center's history, only one — the girls track team in 1978 — has captured a team title.

A few teams have come close.

The 2013 girls soccer team placed second at state, and the 1997 softball team was second. In addition, the 1977 and 1978 volleyball teams were runners-up. There have been a handful of third-place team finishes.

Jeanne Daniels, who anchored the 1978 track team, said she was excited to learn of the tennis championship.

“It's awesome," she said. “I was so thrilled for those kids. They worked hard, they stuck together and played well enough to win and some probably did even better than they expected. That's what it's all about. That's so awesome."

Daniels said a team championship can be elusive because there are many variables.

“For us, we stuck together," she said. “… What I've seen is the kids believing in each other and having that trust in each other. For us, it was the same thing. We trusted each other and we trusted our coaches, for sure. … It's all about the kids. Those kids wanted it. You have to have a passion, work ethic, desire and belief and you have to perform to the max every day in practice."

Daniels said she is surprised it's taken so long to end the drought.

“We've had some good kids and some good athletes," she said. “… We just haven't had the right opportunity."