Athletics News
2020 Preview: Middle school tennis teams set to defend Mountain League titles
Coming off one of the most successful seasons for both boys and girls, the TFS middle school tennis program is set for even more in 2020. Both programs are coming off title-winning campaigns that saw them win the Mountain League Championship.
BOYS PREVIEW
The boys team finished 10-1 last season, taking the Mountain League Championship honors in the process. Most of that championship team is back in 2020, including eighth graders Tanner Davis, TJ Cox, and Everett VanOrman.
Davis played at #1 singles last season and will do so again this fall, while Cox moves into the #2 singles role that was open after Tyler Brown now moves up to the high school as a freshman. VanOrman will play at #3 singles.
Coach Lisa Wilcox believes the strength of the team will be Davis at #1 singles, and the #1 boys doubles team. The #2 doubles team contain new members who have never played tennis before, so it will take time to build up that duo.
“Our boys team will be a little inexperienced at some levels, but hoping for the best,” says Wilcox. “Overall, I expect the boys to be close to the top in our league this year.”
The boys open the fall slate on September 3 with a home match against Banks County, with first serve scheduled for 4 PM.
GIRLS PREVIEW
The reigning 2019 Mountain League Champion TFS middle school girls look to repeat that success this fall. The girls were 9-2 last season. Former #1 singles talent Annabelle Jackson has moved on to the high school, and eighth grader Landry Carnes is expected to take over that spot. Fellow eighth graders Madeline Martin (#2 singles) and Lizzi Huebner (#3 singles) will be relied upon heavily.
“Our girls team will definitely need some growing, but they are developing,” says Wilcox. “We will hope that our singles teams can lead us to some wins. Both doubles teams, and the #2 doubles are sixth graders who are very young.”
Wilcox will help the young girls elevate their game on the court, and their experience will start on September 3, when the TFS girls open up against Banks County.