Fullhart takes over as tennis coach

Susan Fullhart will take over the reins as Sisters High Schools (SHS) girls varsity tennis coach this spring. tennis has always been a part of Fullhart's life, and she's excited about her team and the season ahead.

Fullhart played tennis in high school and has played recreationally ever since. The past several years, Susan has played singles on the USTA (United States tennis Association) team and has traveled to Eugene, Salem, and Medford to compete.

"My game's not pretty, but I get the job done," said Fullhart. "I'm just very competitive and scrappy. I've never had pretty strokes, but I can win points."

Susan's three boys, Sam, Ben, and Paul, all played four years of varsity tennis at SHS. The entire family, including Don, Susan's husband, are die-hard players and play together whenever they get the chance.

"Tennis has been a real connector for our family," said Fullhart. "We play together all the time. The boys are a lot better than I am, but they still take me out for a hit and I'm honored. They're out there hitting those hard top-spin shots, and I'm chasing them down with a big smile on my face and loving every minute of it."

Fullhart has been involved in SHS tennis from its inception. When the boys tennis team started under Boyd Stuwe in 2006, Susan helped out in a variety of ways: driving, taking care of uniforms, and reporting scores, and she has stayed connected ever since.

Fullhart has watched the SHS girls play tennis and gone to their matches for years and is thrilled with the opportunity to coach.

"I'm very tactical and will be able to strategize with the girls," said Fullhart. "I think I will be a good coach at all levels. I'm good with the girls who are there to strictly have fun with their friends, and also good with the ones who want to go to state. I will work with them to try and achieve that goal.

"I'm excited about tennis from a competitive perspective, a fitness perspective, and the fun of a life-long sport, and look forward to building relationships and working with the girls."

Susan is also looking forward to working alongside the boys coach, Bim Gander.

"Bim has so much knowledge and experience as both a player and a coach," said Fullhart. "And, I love his enthusiasm for building the boys and girls programs at SHS. He's just awesome, and so great to work with."