Tennis players hit the courts

Girls tennis returns 11 to varsity

The girls tennis team has been held up by the weather, just like most of the other spring sports; they have yet to practice on the outside courts. The girls have been practicing at the middle school gym with makeshift courts, and have yet to use real tennis balls, regulation nets, or normal courts with lines.

Despite the circumstances, the team has been hard at work and Coach Crystal Tosello says she's already seen lots of improvement with the players that are newer to the sport. The tennis team has focused their time on basic stroke form and techniques that will transfer well to actual game play.

Eleven players return to the squad, and the four seniors, Hawley Harrer, Engracia Diez, Rylee Weber, and Mary Florian, are all confident and experienced players. Tosello stated she's excited about her senior players and knows they'll be able to compete at a high level.

Harrer and Weber will be the Outlaws No. 1 doubles team, and look to have a very successful season.

"Hawley and Rylee both have great natural athleticism, are very competitive, and are willing to make adjustments to their game to improve," said Tosello. "I'm excited to see how the new types of shots and strategies they are learning will help their game and hopefully take them to state."

Juniors Sofia Frack and Alexa Asson are also looking good, and Tosello is excited to see what they will do this year. Rounding out the returning players are sophomores Rheanna Salisbury, Hannah Ezell, Ramsey Schar, Holly Werts, and Mattie Mynatt.

Seven new players, including sophomores Joelle Asson, Lola Green, Hallie Schwartz, and Delsie McCrystal, and freshmen Sophia Silva, Katie Springer, and Shelby McCauley, will round out the roster.

Most players have said they'd like to play doubles, and a couple want to stick with singles, but Tosello told The Nugget that her decision for the team's line-up will come down to the wire right before the first match of the season. The team's non-district matches will be a great way for Tosello to see how the line-up works, and then make adjustments if needed.

Tosello shared that the Outlaws mission for the year is to promote and develop tennis excellence, provide an environment that is supportive and encouraging for the girls, and inspire and develop character traits of high value.

"Specific goals for the year are that all the players would be able to confidently hold rallies against their opponents, and that we would send two teams or individuals to state," said Tosello.