Athletics News
Season Preview: Tennis
Both Tallulah Falls tennis teams made the state tournament last season — the boys with a loaded freshman group and the girls with a veteran senior-heavy squad. The Indians made history with a Sweet 16 run and Region Runner-Up finish, while the girls made the playoffs for a second straight season.
Long-time head coach Randy Morris moves into a new role within the program, and Anthony Cox takes over as TFS tennis is set to begin a new era.
The varsity girls had back-to-back tournament appearances for the first time in school history. The Lady Indians will look to keep that momentum going, but must replace a large portion of their lineup due to a roster churn of graduating players. Singles players Evette Corwin, Maggie Peacock, and Ashli Webb all have moved on, leaving holes to be filled. Corwin's 21 career singles wins is the school record, while Peacock's 17 is second all-time.
Key returning players include Landry Carnes and Cassidy Hayes, the latter of which boasts 18 doubles wins in her career. Those two will be relied on for veteran leadership, and newcomers Jaeda-Lee Daniel Joseph (freshman) and Ariel Kelsick (junior) will be major contributors to the team's success. Daniel Joseph and Kelsick are both expected to play singles, and have next-level talent to add to the lineup.
"The girls team is coming off back-to-back state playoff appearances," says Cox. "After graduating four seniors including the three singles line players, we have a very deep lineup. This includes two new players at the top of the lineup and a very deep stable of players ready to compete, including senior Cassidy Hayes as well as five freshmen. Match play prior to region will consist of identifying the best combination of players for the lineup. This team has the potential to have a very strong season."
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Meanwhile, the Indians posted a 9-5 record on the way to the Sweet 16, marking the first such appearance there since 2013. The Region Runner-Up honors was the first such finish since 2005 and 2006. Last year's team was bouyed by a strong freshmen group that returns in 2023 with big-game experience.
Number one and two singles players return in sophomores Tanner Davis and TJ Cox. Davis won 9 games, while Cox had 8 wins. The sophomore doubles combo of Jake Owensby and Zach Carringer teamed up for 10 wins last season, and both of those players are back as well for their sophomore season. Aidan VanOrman is among that talented sophomore group who played in every match last season.
"The boys have a solid young core of sophomores returning from last year's Sweet 16 team," echoes Cox. "The team has a lot of expectations and lofty goals for themselves and are pushing each other to be the best they can be as individual players and as a team."
The expectations are as high as ever for both the girls and boys teams entering 2023. For the boys, it's much the same look as last year, but a season better and more experienced. For the girls, a new look, but talent to do something they've never done before.
"These gentlemen and ladies worked really hard in the offseason with the goal of accomplishing some special things," adds Cox. "We have talked about our State Champion volleyball program and what is possible at TFS. Practices so far have been extremely competitive, with teammates challenging each other to be the best they can be. Expectations are high, and I believe this group has a real opportunity to put together a GREAT season."
Tallulah Falls' opening serve is slated for February 7 at Elbert County. The first home match is held February 13 against Habersham Central.