Lady Eagles Tennis Continues Strong Start To The Season

​by John Unrein

​     One by one, Lady Eagles Senior Tennis players lined up in front of their picture banners on their home court. Smiles more than nerves were on display as they prepared to host the visiting Platte County Pirates in an important Suburban Conference matchup on Tuesday, September 17th. The Eagles would win their match 8-1 and moved to an overall record of 4-1 on the season.
     Lady Eagles Head Tennis Coach Randy Draper was quick to applaud the depth in the senior class and the crucial role it has played in the team’s overall early season success.
     “That’s a deep group of seniors. We’ve also got a sophomore in Chelsea Gorden that’s really helping us. Those seniors have been through it and know how to win,” Draper said.
     “Winning at the one and two spots is hard to do especially. Seniors Alyssa Owens and Ryan Deaton are good players and make an excellent doubles team. They’ve also spent a lot of time at this, it’s never an accident. Senior Mackensie Wagner has gone from our number six to our number three and that’s a big jump. She’s just a backboard. That ball’s coming back and I don’t think she’s that fun to play against.”
     Draper also mentioned Seniors Maddie Shields, Alice Lin, and Hailey Bowlin as players who have rounded out the top five spots in the match lineup throughout the season.
    “We have several girls who have worked at this due to their love for the sport. Tennis is a lonely game in a lot of ways with you being by yourself when you’re in single play. Sometimes we have to remember that tennis is a game and games are supposed to be fun. We enjoy laughing together because that makes everything, including practice more enjoyable,” Draper said.
     The girls’ varsity team will next compete at the Blue Springs Tournament on Friday, September 20th.
 

Senior team members of the Lady Eagles Tennis Team pose in front of their senior banners before facing the Platte County Pirates on September 17th. The team won the match 8-1 and moved to an overall record of 4-1 on the season.         
Photo credit: Valley News staff