The Macomb High girls tennis team enters a new season with an experienced group of upperclassmen.
That experience begins with four-year players Sydney Hamm and Lucy Platt.
“Both made a good state push last year, and we’re going to do everything possible to get them across that line this year and get into the state finals,” said MHS girls tennis coach Ryan Wilson.
“They’ve had a good summer,” he added. “We ran summer camps all the way through summer. And being seniors, those two actually took leadership roles and helped run the camps. They’re at that level where they’re helping the younger players.”
Three other seniors in Addi Bainter, Darah McFadden and Griffen Schauble also return. Bainter and McFadden are four-year players, while Schauble returns for her third season.
Junior Isabella Gage returns for her third season, while Sophie Hansen enters her second year.
“We’ve got a lot of good pieces we can build around,” said Wilson. “It’s just a matter of getting everybody in the right place and getting the roster set. Then it’s a matter of getting ready for the competition.”
Rounding out the roster are senior newcomer Thea Granheim, sophomore Sejal Sharma and freshmen Gwen Severs, Jiwon Kim, Scarlett Brooks and Maria Bice.
“It’s been a fun group of kids,” said Wilson. “We’re carrying our summer work into the season. It’s been really seamless. The freshmen got a good jump start and I’m really happy with that.”
The team posted a dual meet record of 10-3 last season in facing schools from the Quincy, Peoria and Quad Cities areas.
“I always take pride when the kids get winning records against those bigger schools,” said Wilson. “That means a lot when you knock off some of the bigger schools in the area.”
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to continue that this year,” he added.
But the ultimate goal is the postseason. And seeing last spring’s success of the Simmons twins (Marc and Alex), who reached the boys state finals, that brings added incentive to the girls squad.
“Being the coach of both programs, you’re trying to connect them all the time anyway,” said Wilson. “Our summer sessions are coed so we bring in both teams. It’s been great.”
