Girls tennis returns strong squad

The girls tennis team returns several players to their varsity squad this year and are looking forward to a great season.

Seniors Olivia Miller and Nancy Lopez return for their fourth year on the Outlaws' tennis team. Miller is a returning doubles player and has a fast, powerful serve as well as being strong and quick at the net. Lopez is a strong baseline player and will play both singles and doubles and swing from JV to varsity.

Elise Herron, Jen Houk, Lauren Rudinsky, Nicole Webb, Becky Thomas and Chloe Stein all return for their third year of Outlaws tennis.

Herron and Houk play at the No. 1 doubles position. Herron brings strong forehand ground strokes and consistent serving to the team, and Houk is a strong net player with a consistent serve.

"Elise and Jen complement each other," said Coach Marti Dale. "They are a smart pair and are looking forward to growing more consistent in their doubles game"

Rudinsky and Webb will also play doubles this year. Dale stated that Lauren and Nicole communicate effectively to set up plays that force their opponents to miss.

Becky Thomas is an aggressive and competitive singles player and is expected to be a big contributor to the team this season.

"Becky has consistent ground strokes, and looks forward to new challenges and improving her singles game," said Dale.

Stein will also play a singles position. Chloe is a smart player with a solid baseline game and knows how to play to her opponent's weaknesses.

Sophomores Shelbi Thompson and Paige Tosello play well together and return for their second year as a doubles team. Dale told The Nugget they are both quick and tough with their volley game at the net.

Amity Calvin (junior) is a second-year player for the Outlaws. Calvin played as a freshman, took her sophomore year off and returns for her junior year.

"Amity is focused and quick and fearless on the court," said Dale. "She also has consistent baseline strokes."

Senior Jenna Jacobsen returns to the squad after taking her junior year off. Jacobsen plays both singles and doubles and plays a solid all-around game.

Sophomore Megan Minke will join the Outlaws for her first season. Dale plans to try Minke in both singles and doubles play so she can develop her strengths.

"Megan brings a wealth of tennis experience as she has played and competed off and on since she was seven or eight years old," said Dale. "She is a strong, hard hitter with smart competitive instincts, and I think she will do well at both singles and doubles.

Nikki Haken (sophomore) returns for a second year and will play both singles and doubles and swing between JV and varsity.

"Nikki's favorite stroke is her powerful overhead smash," said Dale. "She is a dedicated player and we are looking forward to watching her play develop and take off this season."

Dale told The Nugget that the varsity team is very strong this year and they are eager to improve and compete.

"We are going to work hard, and with a team effort we should have a season with more wins," said Dale. "The goal is to finish first or second at districts and then possibly send a singles player and a doubles team to state."

Several new players will join the Outlaws squad this season including sophomores Haley Hedren, Rio Kindsfather, Cierra Tigard and freshmen Haley Carlson, Claire Hensen, Lindsey Johnson, Sonja Lund, Crystal Reifschneider, Anna Peasley and Savannah Spear.

Dale said, "We are excited for our new players to grow and learn the game of tennis as they improve and develop their personal game. Already they are improving and showing their potential to become great team players.

"We are looking forward to a season of good competition, doing well at districts, and having fun making some great plays at our matches."

Marti Dale begins her sixth season as the girls' tennis coach and will again be assisted by Jan Pray, who is also in her sixth season.

The Outlaws' first match of the season will be Tuesday, March 15, at Redmond. Two days later the Outlaws will play at home against Bend.