An important tool that we use to make our program work is the ladder. This is the program ranking for every active Cherry Creek tennis player. We begin each season with returning players ranked based on their previous year’s performance. For incoming freshmen, you will be placed at the bottom of the ladder alphabetically. In cases of ranked incoming players, the coaches will determine initial placement.
This year, varsity selection and cluster procedures will be similar to last year, with some changes. The cluster level indicates players that are in a position to make one of our three varsity teams. Sixteen players will be selected by the coaches to play in singles matches on day 1, Monday August 11th at 9am and 3pm. These players will be chosen using the following criteria: Ladder Rank, Summer Tournament Play, Intermountain Rankings, State Rankings, UTR, Player Profile, and Coaches’ Discretion. These will be best two out of three full set matches with regular ad scoring. Once we have reached the final singles matches a lockout will be reached if one player has beaten another player twice. This means the player who has been defeated twice by the same opponent cannot move above the player they were defeated by. 10-point tiebreakers may be used, in lieu of a 3rd set, for time considerations up until lockout matches. However, all lockout matches will be 2 out of 3 full sets. Beginning the second day, Tuesday, August 12th, we will begin doubles clusters and continue singles challenges at 2 pm. The second round of doubles clusters will begin at 4:30. Beginning Wednesday, August 13th, we will move to playing matches immediately after school at 3:45 pm followed by matches at 5:45 pm. This schedule will continue through the rest of the week, including Saturday if needed. If matches do occur on Saturday the time of play will be given to the players during the previous week.
For the second week, cluster rounds will continue with match play after school until varsity selections have been made by Thursday, August 21st.
As players are eliminated from competition for these positions they will be inserted into the doubles clusters. Doubles clusters will consist of 4 players. A full cluster consists of each player playing one no-ad set with every other player in the cluster (order of no consequence). When completed, each player will have a total number of games won. The 2 players with the highest number of games won will move up a cluster, and the 2 players with the least number of games will move down a cluster. If there is a tie between the second place and third place finisher of a cluster, a 10-point tiebreaker will be used to determine which player moves up a cluster and which player moves down. The results should be posted immediately after the match is done.
Each day two players will be dropped from the bottom cluster and two added based off performance, participation and coaches discretion.
Beginning Tuesday, August 12th, ladder players ranked below the cluster level will have one assigned challenge match to play every day, and one or more assigned matches weekly thereafter. These matches are played at any mutually agreed upon site and time, and the balls are supplied by the lower ranked player. Match scores must be reported immediately after the conclusion of the match. This will allow for efficient ladder player movement. If a lower ranked player defeats a higher ranked player he will take over the higher ranked player’s spot. If you wish to move up the ladder it is important that all assigned and arranged matches are played. After the first two weeks of daily matches, we assign 1 match during the 3rd week of the season and all other weeks during the season moving forward. The exception will be the three varsity teams. Once the varsity teams are determined they cannot be challenged. Matches will be assigned and posted Sunday evening, or at the latest, Monday morning by 8am. These matches MUST be played during the week and the results recorded by the following Saturday of each week. On the posted ladder a player may have as his assigned match, ODD MAN. This occurs when there are an odd number of players being assigned matches and one is left out. We will do our best to keep this occurrence to once a season per player.
The top 3 Varsity 1 (V1) singles players and 4 doubles teams doubles teams will be determined by the outcome of cluster play. The number of players making a varsity team will be a total of 40.
All ladder matches played will result in the winner being positioned in the ladder above the loser. When the higher ranked player wins, all positions remain the same. When the lower ranked player wins, he moves to the position formerly occupied by his opponent, and the opponent moves down one position. This doesn’t occur automatically. The coaches must review results and post a new ladder nightly. Although the coaches do not cut players from this program, you may cut yourself by merely not playing challenges. Any player not averaging at least two challenges per week will will be dropped to bottom of the ladder. Assigned challenges always take precedence over arranged challenges. Any assigned challenge not played within the time assigned may result in both players involved being placed on the ladder at the position of the lower ranked player. More specific information about challenges is offered later in this booklet under "Guidelines for Ladder Matches”.
Varsity 1 and Varsity 2 (the top 24 players) will practice daily at the Creek Courts.
Varsity 1 practice: 3:45-5:45
Varsity 2 practice: 3:45-5:45
Varsity 3 practice: 4:00-6:00
Any announcements and schedule changes will be shared throughout the season as needed.
A reminder that players outside of varsity level must attempt to play a minimum of two challenge matches per week in lieu of practice, one of which will be assigned.
PRIVATE LESSONS & ORGANIZED PRACTICES: All players who are taking private or group tennis lessons, and wish to continue your lessons have permission to do so from the Head Coach & Athletic Director. Please don't schedule in any way that conflicts with the program requirements.
Due to the large number of talented players at CCHS, our program carries three varsity teams. The Varsity 1 team consists of the top eleven players on the ladder, plus one alternate. Varsity 2 will also carry a total of 12 players. Varsity 3 can carry up to 16 players based on coaches discretion. These positions are frozen after the first few weeks of the season. Once the varsities are set they are locked. They are unchallengeable. Therefore, open challenges are allowed up to the last player below Varsity 3 for the remainder of the season.
There will be three junior varsity teams each carrying 20+ boys. The boys included on these teams will be the players ranked below the varsities on the ladder. These teams will be a mix of rankings. For example, JV 1 will not consist of the top twenty players falling below Varsity 3, but instead, will be composed of a mixed-ranked group of twenty of the sixty players falling below Varsity 3. With this composition of teams, our three JV teams will all have competitive inter-scholastic doubles matches. There are no singles matches with JV. The active rosters for the JV teams will be posted every Monday on the website and will be determined by the combined rank of the partners. (See Doubles Teams below).
Varsity players’ doubles partners will be assigned by the coaches. Unfortunately, there is insufficient time to play matches of every conceivable pairing of players. Players will not necessarily be assigned to play with the partner he would most prefer, but rather with that player, who in the opinion of the coaches, best compliments his game or it is in the best interests of the team.
JV players will have the opportunity, at the August 21st meeting, to indicate which players they would like to be paired with for doubles play during the season (players list three choices). The JV teams will consist of the combined ranking of the partners. For example, the number one doubles team for JV l might consist of a player ranked 44 and a player ranked 50. If their combined score of 94 is the highest ranking on JV 1, they will be the number one doubles team and will play against the top team from the opposing JV team during interscholastic matches. Remember, however, that rankings will change as challenge matches are continually played during the season. (Note: once partners are determined, partners are not allowed to challenge one another for a ladder match during the course of the season).
Players will be expected to be at the courts, in uniform and ready to play before every match. It is the responsibility of the player to find transportation for all away matches. Buses will not be available for any matches throughout the season. Team parents are assigned to each JV team and will assist in facilitating player transportation. Players may be excused from interscholastic matches only with the permission of their varsity or JV Coach with as much notice as possible. Players repeatedly not appearing for interscholastic matches without being excused beforehand will be dropped from the interscholastic team.
We expect our players to display the highest level of behavior and sportsmanship in representing their team, their school, their family and their community wherever they play or wherever they go as student-athletes. On the court, inappropriate language (words deemed inappropriate by the USTA), racquet throwing, temper tantrums, or arguing with officials will not be tolerated. Off the court, we expect our players to be at their very best, morally and ethically, in how they conduct themselves. If the high standards of Cherry Creek etiquette are not being met, your coaches will take appropriate disciplinary action including, but not limited to, removal from a court, removal from around a court, removal from a public setting or being sent home.
All tournament (club or sanctioned) players must be aware of the high school rule which prohibits any competition other than high school matches after practicing with the team. Exceptions to this rule must be approved by the high school principal, athletic director, and coach. Therefore, all varsity candidates are not to enter a tournament taking place after Monday, August 11th unless you have cleared it with the head coach. These will be considered on a case by case, and tournament by tournament, basis. Our season is short, please do your best to manage your time and interests to stay fully committed to our team.
In early October, the intra-team singles tournament is played. The tournament is held for all players outside the top twelve and is a single elimination tournament. All non-senior players must participate. The matches are to be played by the designated dates at a site and time agreed upon by both players. If the matches are not played there will be a double default. If one player tries to schedule the match and is unsuccessful due to unavailability of his opponent, Coach Gonzales must be contacted and a default may be given. This tournament is extremely important to the ladder positions for the following year and must be played. If you commit to the tournament and default a match to a lower player, it is possible this could negatively affect your ladder rank. These matches will be posted online. The results help determine the beginning ladder positions for the following year. The completion of the tournament marks the end of the season for all non-Varsity 1 players. In addition, challenge matches cannot be played after the tournament begins. All Tournament matches should be entered on the website immediately after completion.
During team practices shorts and acceptable t-shirts or polos with tennis socks and tennis shoes (tennis attire and safety does not permit non-athletic shorts and non-tennis shoes. When playing in an interscholastic appropriate uniform attire is expected.
Because of the large number of quality players, the coaches award more letters than a typical tennis program. To obtain a varsity letter, you must:
Each practice will include conditioning. It’s always good to be prepared when being pushed physically in a tennis match! Limited participation in all team activities, including conditioning, could result in limited participation in matches. If you have a physical condition which prohibits your full participation in team conditioning activities, please discuss it with the coaches. Please have a water container filled for all challenge matches, scheduled practices and hydrate prior to play. Heat exhaustion or heat stroke can be very debilitating for days.
If you are injured and it requires medical treatment you will be seen by a school trainer if they are available. If they are not your coach will determine what steps need to be taken including reaching out to your family. School trainers are professionals trained to deal with athletic injuries and your coaches are certified in CPR/1st aid. 1st aid kits will also be on hand at any home match/practice and should be available for any school location and otherwise
Parents/Guardians are an integral part of our program and tradition. Without your support and contribution, our program would not be as successful as it is. As it relates to the activities of the season we ask for your support in the following specific areas:
This program is aided in a multitude of ways by a fine booster club called the Creek Court Club. The club tirelessly works as a team to provide the best opportunity for all of our student-athletes to enjoy their experience in being a part of this team. We encourage parents to become members of The Creek Court Club. If interested, you may go to our team website to reach out to the Club President.
