Knights hope experience nets more tennis victories
Arora Chaney is back at first singles for the West Holmes girls tennis team, which returns all but one starter from last season.
The high school girls tennis season began Aug. 4.
Here are season previews for each school in The Holmes Bargain Hunter’s coverage area:
West Holmes
With nearly all its starters returning from last year, West Holmes’ girls tennis team appears poised to take a step forward in 2023.
The Lady Knights finished 9-11 overall and 2-5 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference last year, but the experience they gained should have them in a position to improve those win totals this season.
“Last year, being a new coach, it was about letting the players get comfortable with me and my coaching,” second-year coach Rebbie Hill said. “We focused on the basics and still improved our record. This year I’ve already noticed how hard they are working to improve their game. Knowing my players’ strengths and weaknesses, we will use court strategy and focus on putting the pressure on our opponents.”
Junior Arora Chaney is back at first singles after posting a 13-7 record last year. Senior Cuylee Troyer, who went 8-9 in a combo of singles/doubles matches last year, will handle second singles while junior Brylie Rickly (5-2 in singles matches last season) will slot in at third singles. Senior Nadia Chaney and junior Zariah Troyer will form the first doubles team. Junior Kara Wade and varsity newcomer Kylee Taylor, a junior who previously played volleyball, are projected to make up the second doubles team.
“I expect my team’s strengths to be anticipating how their opponent is going to play and exploit their weaknesses,” Hill said. “The Knights are learning to be more comfortable at the net, which allows them to put their opponents in the hot seat.”
Hill said the Lady Knights will need to overcome a lack of mental toughness to have success this season.
“Learning how to be kind to yourself in tough situations can definitely turn things around for our team,” Hill said. “I predict our team will improve our record again this year — both in the regular league and the OCC.
“I would be happy finishing in the middle of the road in the OCC, but deep down, I know we can finish strong.”
Triway
There’s no place to go but up this season for the Triway High girls tennis squad, which went 0-14 last season under coach Jason Self, who is set to enter his fourth year at the helm.
To get things turned around, Self will rely on a roster of five returning letterwinners, plus several newcomers, all of whom have been busy in the offseason trying to elevate their game.
“We have worked hard in the offseason with a full year of open courts, and several girls are taking advantage of Aspen Racquet Club’s junior programs,” Self said. “We are excited to show our improvement and showcase some new players coming up.”
A pair of seniors — Makenzee Hamilton and Averi Moore — and the junior trio of Megan Kline, Isabella Bennett and Selah Roth give the Titans a solid nucleus of experience to build on.
“We have a lot of upperclass ladies who will help lead the team and show our newcomers what it means to be a Titan,” Self said.
Added to the mix are junior doubles player Lexi Coolbaugh and freshman Lexi Long, who will play singles along with the two seniors Hamilton and Moore.
“Our two seniors will have something to prove this year, and both show flashes of amazing play,” Self said. “Lexi Long has shown a competitive spirit that will lead her to a strong first season.”
It won’t take long for Self to see how much his team’s offseason work has paid off, and he’s hoping that by the end of the season, it will show in Triway’s improvement in the Northeast Tennis Conference standings.
“We need match play. We are starting quick this year directly into matches and tournaments without many practices,” Self said. “I would love to finish top three this year, and I know our girls can achieve that if they play at their best.”