Girls tennis returns nine seasoned players

The girls tennis team return nine veteran players to their squad and have added several new players. Coach Susan Fullhart told The Nugget that new players join the squad each day, and players fill the court in practice.

Several seniors are back for their final year: Brenna Weems will bring powerful strokes and good serves to her game, and Jesse Farr-Baenziger will be a very strong net-player. Maya Wieland is a strong all-around tennis player, and Gwen Knoop is a fine all-around athlete. Kenna Cardin brings tenacity to her game.

Also back for another year are junior Emma Tara, who plays very consistent at the net, and sophomores Lacey Gilmore and Annika Stadeli.

Weems and Farr-Baenziger will start the season at the No. 1 doubles spot and Knoop and Wieland will most likely play No. 2 doubles.

Fullhart has several possible teams in mind for the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, but doesn't expect the lineup to really shake out until much later in the season.

Fullhart said, "I expect all of these returning players to turn their experience into success on the court."

The Lady Outlaws singles line-up is a bit slimmer, as most of the girls prefer doubles.

Lacey Gilmore is one of the players who prefers singles. Fullhart noted that Lacey's steady and consistent style of play is perfectly suited for singles play.

"A couple of the new girls are hoping to play singles as well. I expect the singles line-up to be even more fluid than the doubles throughout the season," said Fullhart.

At least half of the Outlaws squad is comprised of first-year players, some of whom have little to no experience on the court. Rylee Weber and Hawley Harrer are two of the newcomers that Fullhart expects to make some noise on the court.

"Both of these girls are very athletic, competitive and motivated, and that's a winning combination," said Fullhart.

The large number of players that are on the team will create some extra competition as players vie for the 12 varsity spots. Fullhart told The Nugget that the competition will make everyone better.