Tennis plans to backhand season
Sophomore Dima Cooper prepares to serve to his opponent during practice.
April 12, 2010 • written by Margaret Cross
Filed under featured, Sports
In the first match of the season against the Craigmont Chiefs, the Panther tennis team mauled their enemies almost to the point of death. The girls won three of their four matches, and the guys won all three matches. With a team consisting of mostly underclassmen, this was no easy feat.
“I think we’re more prepared,” sophomore Anne Albert said. “Last year the freshmen didn’t know how to play and didn’t know any of the rules.”
Some players, including sophomore Dima Cooper, believe that playing the tougher schools last year helped the team to improve this year.
“Last year was better,” Cooper said. “We played White Station and Germantown, and they’re harder schools. I am looking forward to playing Cordova, though.”
The players attribute some of their success to their coach, Brad Kovach.
“He tells you exactly what you need to do,” Albert said. “If you’re having trouble serving, he’ll tell you to work on serving.”
Even the upperclassmen admit that his coaching style helps them improve.
“Kovach is more laid back, but he pushes us,” senior Michella Douglas said. “He urges us to do our best and keeps us emotionally stable in matches.”
Kovach’s gift came in handy on Apr. 7 when the team vied against archrival Bolton High School. Although the girls won 4-1, the boys’ match was called off due to the rain. At the cut-off, the boys were tied 2-2. The match will be continued at a later date.
A match against Millington the next day faced fairer weather and similar results. The boys won 2-1, and the girls took the gold with 3-1. The match brought Bartlett’s overall record to girls, 3-0, and boys, 2-0.
Even though the freshmen may not have all the strength they require yet, they have teammates to whom they can look for advice on how to get better.
“I’ve gotten stronger since last year,” Albert said. “I couldn’t get the ball over the net, couldn’t win matches. It was really easy for others to beat me. As a team, I think we’ll get more wins [than last year].”
With the season only beginning, the tennis team still has a while to go before reaching their goal of winning the state championship.
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