The Winona tennis team is off to a 1-3 start, but has shown improvement during the season, according to Coach Lance VanHorn. “We're gaining experience every time we play,” he said.
The Tigers lost to East Webster and Mississippi School for Math and Science by 5-2 scores, defeated Greenville 5-2 and lost to Cleveland Central 6-1.
MHSAA matches include one boys singles, one girls singles, two boys doubles, two girls doubles and a mixed doubles, with no one playing more than one match, Each match is best of three, with a super tiebreaker (10 points) if sets are split.
Rachel VanHorn, the coach's daughter, has won all four matches at girls singles, all in straight sets.
The other point against East Webster was won by the No. 1 boys doubles team of Nate Tidwell and Joseph Woods. Aden Miller won boys singles against MSMS.
Other winners against Greenville were Tidwell and Woods, Madeline Branch and Emma Rickles at No. 1 girls doubles, No. 2 boys doubles Kunal Patel and Kristin Williams and the mixed doubles duo of Mackenzie Webb and Dalton Murphy.
Coach VanHorn said he is playing a lot of young girls who are showing improvement. “The boys have been paying some pretty tough competition, but they're playing better.”
Rachel VanHorn is a two time defending state champion in girls singles who has signed to play at Meridian Community College. MCC coach Wanda McPhail said “She is going to come in and contribute immediately to the team. We have had our eye on her for several years. We think she is the kind of player who does well academically and is successful on the court.”
