Familiar face set to run tennis program

GONZALES — The newest coach named to the Gonzales Apaches has the most familiar face as athletic director Kodi Crane announced that longtime teacher Charlene Henke will become the head coach for team tennis in the fall and tennis in the spring.

Originally from Karnes City, Henke has been a teacher here in Gonzales for 23 years. After graduating from Texas A&M University with a bachelors of science in Wildlife Fisheries Science – Teacher Option, she received her certification in Biology for the secondary level and has since received certification for advanced placement biology, meaning she can teach AP Biology to students seeking college credit.

With all this experience in the classroom, some may wonder about her experience on the tennis court. Fortunately for the Apaches, she’s got a lot of knowledge in the sport.

“[Henke] has a tennis background and she’s on campus,” Crane said. “Whenever [previous head coach Sarah] Kennedy was on maternity a couple years ago she helped us out, so that will be a pretty smooth transition.”

Sure enough, Henke agreed that her experience stepping in that season as well as her familiarity with the athletes should lead to the smooth transition that Crane described.

Her tennis background will be an advantage for her as well.

“I played tennis in high school and college,” Henke explained. “I played girls doubles in high school with the same partner all four years. My partner and I advanced to regionals several years but never to state.”

“Two years ago I got to coach the Gonzales high school tennis team,” she continued. “I learned so much about the program that had changed since I played for competition and I liked learning from the coaching standpoint instead of a player.”

Henke also has some coaching in her blood. Her father was a high school coach who started her out in tennis, training her with a racquetball racket so that she’d have more control with a shorter handle.

“As I grew, he got me a wooden Wilson tennis racket and cut off the end of the handle,” she recalled. “I finally made my way to a graphite racket when I was a junior in high school.”

Henke also coaches little league baseball.

“I continue to manage my youngest son’s team this year in the minor league division and was given the honor to manage the nine-year-old all star team last year and this year’s 9-10 all start team. I get very excited working with the kids and helping them learn the game while enjoying themselves.”

Now that she’s taken the reign as tennis head coach, Henke’s current task is to find commitments for team tennis. According to UIL rules, a team must consist of at least seven girls and seven boys.

“Since this is the first year at Gonzales High, most students are not aware of Gonzales starting team tennis,” she admitted. “We are lacking in participation among the ladies so I have been asking for participation from those that have athletic talent.”

Henke did say she’s got some commitments from a couple of Lady Apaches that are involved in other spring sports like soccer but don’t necessarily have a sport during the fall.

“They will fit perfect in our fall program,” Henke said. “Those playing football and volleyball will be able to join us in the spring as usual.”

With a new program comes new stresses but Henke is ready to take on those challenges.

“I look forward to showing the players that they can be successful as they dedicate themselves to training,” she said. “Tennis is a fun, intensive sport and very competitive; nothing to be laughed at. Gonzales High has great talent that I look forward to sharing with the community.”