Spika and Muetzel Keep Campus Alive with Summer Tennis
Greta Cunningham ‘23, Communications Intern
July 16, 2024
Each summer, the CDH tennis courts come alive with students from grades three through 12 participating in athletics camps.
“They’re a great way for teams to play together, learn strokes, and have fun,” Boys Varsity Coach Randy Muetzel said.
The camps run from June through July, with a total of seven cohorts between the boys and girls programs. It’s a testament to the dedication of Muetzel and Girls Varsity Coach, Tim Spika, who have been with the CDH tennis program for 40 and 35 years, respectively.
“It’s awesome to see the energy, positivity, and enthusiasm the kids bring,” Spika said. “Summer is great. It's a big time commitment for us, but it's completely worth it.”
CDH students have the opportunity to prepare for the next season, allowing them to further develop their strength and technique alongside their teammates. For those not yet in high school, camps provide exposure to the sport and CDH as a whole.
“The tennis community at CDH has taught me invaluable life lessons,” said Morgan Redden ’23. “I learned the values of teamwork, hard work, and sportsmanship from Coach Spika and Coach Muetzel.”
Both Muetzel and Spika started playing tennis as kids. When Muetzel was in first grade, his family moved next to a junior high school with tennis courts, so he started playing.
“It was like they were right in my backyard,” Muetzel said.
Similarly, Spika grew up by a public pool with tennis courts. While his siblings were swimming, he decided to learn to play.
“Mr. Muetzel was a huge influence in my life,” said Pat Klett ’95. “I wanted to become a gym teacher because of him, but instead I became a tennis teaching professional. I always appreciated his calm coaching style, and it was always evident that he cared for all the members of the team. I didn’t need to win a state title, I just needed to find a place where I could improve my game and enjoy my experience at CDH.”
Spika and Muetzel have been able to share their love of tennis with generations of students, resulting in a combined ten section championships.
“We've had some great teams over the years with some exceptional individuals,” Spika said.
Both Spika and Muetzel’s favorite students to work with are not simply the most talented but those who are most willing to put in the work to improve.
“Our students work hard. They show up every day, and they come with smiles on their faces,” Spika said. “The kids we've had here at CDH over the 35 or 40 years we've been here are just amazing human beings. We're really lucky to be working with them.”