Messenger photo by Britt Kudla Fort Dodge girls tennis returning letterwinners are (left to right): Daisha McDonald, Sierra Bethke, Lizzie Baker and Brianna Galvan. Not pictured: Kathryn Cochrane and Brooke Erickson.

Tim Johnson likes to coach, and when he saw the need at Fort Dodge Senior High, he answered the call.

Johnson will take over for Martha Mericle as the Dodger girls tennis coach this spring.

“I’d heard Matt (Elsbecker, FDSH activities director) was looking for a head coach, and I didn’t want the girls (program to go without one),” Johnson said. “So I stepped up. So far, I am really happy I did.

“The young ladies are a lot of fun. They have positive attitudes and a willingness to learn.”

The Dodger girls have brought home four state titles in the last six years. Jaci Cochrane was a singles champion in 2013, and current Winona State freshman Beth Murman won a co-ed doubles title with Jonny Bowser in both 2016 and 2017. Murman also teamed with Cochrane to secure a doubles crown in 2016.

Johnson, who is a science and at-risk teacher at FDSH, has also coached in the Mason City school district. He coached middle school football, wrestling, basketball and track.

“I love the game and played it growing up,” Johnson said. “My goal is to have the ladies learn more about tennis and enjoy playing it as much as possible. Yes, we want to win, but I also want the ladies to enjoy the process of playing and getting better.

“Life is short, and all too soon, they will be out of high school. Tennis can be a lifelong sport.”

First order of business will be finding a number one to replace Murman, who graduated last season as a fifth-place state finisher. Murman was 20-4 in match play and 40-10 in sets out of the No. 1 position for two and half seasons.

Junior Kathryn Cochrane will move into the lead role. She was 7-5 in match play and 13-10 in sets a year ago. She played out of the three spot as a freshman.

Rounding out singles play in the early going looks to be freshman Ellie White, seniors Brooke Erickson, Lizzie Baker and Brianna Galvan, and sophomore Daisha McDonald. Junior Raelle Wilder and sophomore

Elle Baedke will be the alternates for Erickson, who is also running track for the Dodgers.

The doubles lineup for the first meet will be Cochrane and White, Baker and Galvan, and McDonald and Baedke.

Fort Dodge opens its season at Des Moines Roosevelt on Tuesday.

Johnson will be assisted by Ashley Fredrick.

“This is just a great bunch of young ladies,” Johnson said. “They have a wonderful willingness to learn and get better every day.”