Trojans to enter tennis season with high hopes

Parkers Chapel's boys' tennis team returns six players from last season and has high hopes for the 2020 campaign. A freshman has emerged as the No. 1 singles player, however, entering the season.

Coach Casey Rapp said Jackson Dison could be the Trojans' leader in singles.

“He is an amazing player and has earned the No. 1 spot on the boys' team,” said Rapp.

Senior Austin Looney, who placed third in state doubles last year, mans the No. 2 singles position with Spencer Frisby at three, Heath Bates at four, Mason Dougan at five and Will Hardy at six.

Bates was the conference runner-up in singles last year. Frisby was conference runner-up in doubles a year ago.

Brody Goodwin, Tanner Hazlewood and Ian Everett round out the Trojans' roster.

The team is still in the process of putting together doubles tandems.

As for expectations, they're high, as usual.

“As always, my goal for the season is to be as competitive as possible. It would also be nice to win a state championship,” said Rapp.

“The key to achieving this goal is by working hard and putting in the time it takes to become better than we were before.”

The coach didn't list COVID-19 as a hindrance to the team's preparation.

“I have staggered practice for boys and girls, so we don't have so many players at one time,” he said. “Other than that, we have been working as hard as we can while following all the recommended guidelines.”

The season begins August 18.