TAYLOR’S TURN TO SHINE
Laura Bechtel, Taylor’s mom, started playing tennis at 5 
and played Division 1 tennis all the way through college at 
Northern Kentucky University. Laura and her husband, Eric, 
who doesn’t play tennis, moved to Hutchinson and joined 
Prairie Dunes a year ago. Taylor is their oldest child; her 
brother, Cole, 7, has played in a few clinics.
Like Dale Snell, Laura has a strong opinion about PD tennis.
“Colin and Addi have built a great program. Colin, coming 
from multiple clubs and having coached many junior players, 
understands player strengths and opportunities, understands 
what motivates young players, and knows how to teach them 
not just skills and techniques, but also the on-court strategy 
and development so they can progress their game to the 
next level. 
“I like that they start each player at the right level and don’t 
advance them until they get technique right.” Bechtel says she 
appreciates the great lineup of clinics and instruction Prairie 
Dunes offers so kids can try the sport and learn whether they 
like it. If it sticks, great. If it doesn’t, that’s okay.
“As a former tennis player, it’s hard not to be a gorilla parent. 
At the end of the day, Eric and I want Taylor to find a sport 
that allows her to connect with friends, find community, and 
have fun. Whether or not she goes on to play in high school 
or college, we’re just really happy to have her on the court — 
active, hitting, learning how to play tennis.”
Taylor began playing tennis at 5 at a local racquet club in 
the community where the family previously lived. She began 
competing right after they moved to Hutchinson.
“Right now, she’s building confidence,” her mom shares. 
“She’s developing discipline and motivation that wouldn’t 
be natural for a 10-year-old. She’s having fun. She’s met a 
few friends as we’ve traveled to Kansas City to tournaments. 
Tennis can be hard because it’s a solo sport more than a 
team sport, so that’s important. 
“Taylor is an incredibly social kid who takes tennis seriously but 
thrives in a social environment and loves to be on court with her 
friends. She enjoys group clinics with Colin two times a week 
and has a private lesson with him once each week, so she’s 
spending four hours on the courts. She comes out of those 
sessions worn out but looks forward to returning each week. 
“She trusts both Colin and Addi on the courts, has a rapport 
with them, and knows they’re pushing her, on her footwork 
and strokes, to be better. My advice for PD tennis parents? Be 
patient. Let them have fun. Give them the time they need to 
build up their skillset and technique. Whether they go on to 
play for fun, or compete in high school or college, tennis is a 
sport best learned at an early age and one they’ll enjoy for the 
rest of their lives.”
 
“Taylor is very nervous at the start of a 
tournament and loosens up as matches 
go on. Her dad and I take her, but she goes 
down on the courts by herself to compete 
and then comes back up to the stands. 
Generally, our rule of thumb is to just sit 
there with her and support her. We don’t talk 
about how a match went. She can come up 
and talk about it, but we don’t give advice. 
We just listen. Colin has guided us to give 
TAYLOR
 BECHTEL
BECHTEL
10 • 5TH GRADE
Union Valley in Hutchinson  |  Just moved 
up from USTA Junior Circuit Green Ball 
tournaments in August to Yellow Ball
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