The Winona tennis team has a new region, 3-3A, and some new faces with the graduation of seven seniors from last year’s team. The region includes St. Andrew’s, Morton, Raleigh, Forest and McLaurin.
“It’s going to be tough for us," said Coach Lance VanHorn. “We’re new to those schools, and they are new to us. So it’s going to be a different type of season.”
St. Andrew’s is the defending state champion.
The girls’ team will have to replace Rachel VanHorn, the coach’s daughter. As a senior, she was 2A state runner-up in singles after winning the event her sophomore and junior seasons. But five girls who played last year return. On the boys side, there is only one veteran back.
VanHorn is depending on some new players, and he said the key to success is how quickly they progress. “This is going to be kind of a learning year for them. Some have never played high school sports before. High school sports can be intimidating.”
The only boy with experience is freshman Kristian Williams. On the girls side, players with experience are senior Mackenzie Weeks, sophomore Madeline Branch, sophomore Emma Rickles, eighth grader Molly Tompkins, and freshman Radleigh Woods.
Tennis is one of two MHSAA sports where boys and girls compete together as teammates, the other being archery. Matches are seven-point competition, with boys and girls singles, two boys doubles, two girls doubles and one mixed doubles.
That’s six boys and six girls since no player may compete in more than one event. VanHorn said he does not know what his lineup will be.
