Girls tennis poised for strong season

The girls tennis team returns nine varsity players, and will add eight new players to their roster this year. The squad boasts several very athletic, enthusiastic girls who have a desire to improve, and along with the new additions the team is poised for a great season ahead. Bruce Fenn, new head coach for the Lady Outlaws, told The Nugget that the experience the team will get from their nine returning lettermen will give them an edge this season.

Sophomore Juhree Kizziar played at the No. 1 singles spot last year and is back for her second year on the varsity squad. Kizziar worked hard this past summer on improving her serve and her ground strokes, and she will be a force to be reckoned with this year.

Brooke Harpe, a junior, played at the No. 4 singles spot last year. Harper is a very consistent and smart player and will look to improve her record this year.

Josie Patton and Elena Mansfield (juniors) played at No. 1 doubles. They are both very athletic and smart players, and will also work to improve their record.

Senior Jenna Kizziar and sophomore Leah O’Hern played No. 2 doubles, and Molly Greaney, a sophomore, played No. 3 doubles. Greaney will look to match up with a comparable player this year. Senior Lindsay Scott and sophomore Charlotte Seymour were the No. 4 doubles duo.

New to the squad this year are seniors Madison Pollard and Oly Thorson, junior Adrianna Luna, who played JV last year, sophomore Presley Adelt, and freshmen Sophia Rush, Audrie Nieman, Lena Kountcheva, and Jasmine Luna.

Only 12 players play on the varsity squad and girls will be vying for a starting spot. Remaining players will participate at the JV level. Fenn said that his lineup is still in the works, and the team is currently in tournament play for positions in singles and doubles.

“Our goals and expectations for the season are to play well and improve each match,” said Fenn. “How we do that will depend on the girls’ focus and ability to make adjustments.”