TENNIS
by Stephanie Trotter
Blake and Ryan Roegner
Brotherly Love Game of tennis nets strong family bonds
WHEN THE ROEGNER BROTHERS take to the tennis court, opponents are lucky to move beyond love. With an aggressive style of play and towering imposition, the 6’3” duo always seems to get the last hit, with a semi-western grip. Ryan Roegner has just wrapped his junior year at Butler University, representing the Bulldogs in the Big East Conference. Little brother Blake Roegner is heading into his senior year of high school, hoping to play Division I tennis as well. Both boys learned to work hard — and dream big — under the 58
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tutelage of Bill Barber, Director of Tennis at the Country Club of Asheville in Western North Carolina. “Bill Barber is the best coach I’ve ever had in terms of strategy and the culture he brings to the court,” Ryan says. “And he always has your best interest at heart. He always puts me on a path of being the best player I can be.” Ryan’s best is pretty darn good. At one point, he was ranked No. 1 in North Carolina and top 10 in the South. He’s had a great run during college, playing both singles and
“[Bill Barber] makes it fun for the boys, but pushes them hard, and that’s a great combination.” – John Roegner, Member at the Country Club of Asheville
doubles, with one year remaining. Blake’s journey to the top has been a bit different. He strayed from tennis to sample baseball and golf, but returned in recent years to serve up aces. As a freshman in high school, Blake was No. 2 in doubles in Illinois (where the family