Smackover to begin season on Thursday
Smackover’s tennis program opens the season in catch-up mode after shutting down for two weeks due a student testing positive for COVID-19. The players are back on the court in preparation for the opening match on August 27.
“With all of the COVID challenges to practices and the time lost when Smackover had to cancel all athletics due to a positive COVID test of an athlete, we have not started our challenges for spots,” said Coach Sonia Barker. “However, we have played some inner squad matches which have brought out the competitor in each player.”
Last year’s district singles champion, Mackenzie Preston, returns to lead the Lady Bucks along with Marley Shairrick, Sara Gathright, Abby Bounds in singles. The doubles teams are Karli Willett and Kaylee Manasco, Reese McKinnon and Kaylee Armstrong and Maeli Conway and Kaylee Davis.
Smackover’s boys are Evan Phillips and Tiyas Rester.
All of these are returning players except Bounds and the two male players.
“As far as returning players, Mackenzie Preston won District last year and advanced another level from her previous experience at State, so I expect big things from her this season,” said Barker.
“Also, Marley Shairrick worked really hard and improved a great deal last season only to have an injury just before and during District causing her to place fourth. I am looking for her to finish much better in District and qualify for State this year.In doubles, our number one and number two teams had to play each other for the State qualifying spot, so this year we are looking for both teams to qualify.
“Our only two guy players -one senior and one freshman- are both new to tennis but working really hard and picking it up quickly. They will likely play as singles players.”
Barker said the Lady Bucks’ goal is to improve from their runner-up status in the district tournament and claim the title and to have all four entrants into the state tournament. For the boys, the goal is to start from scratch, work hard, improve and be ready for District.
“The keys to achieving these goals this season will be to stay healthy, make the most of our time on the courts, and work hard as with each new season,” Barker said. “We have several who take lessons from Robert Holmes at the El Dorado Country Club and many who work on their own game in their off time with each other and with family members.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has naturally altered some of the logistics as well as the timing of our normal routines, groupings, and times on the courts, but overall, we are adjusting, following directives, and making up for lost time.”
Smackover’s athletes were devastated when their softball and baseball seasons were destroyed by COVID in the spring. Now, the fall season has been disrupted as well.
Barker said they’re starving for competition.
“Each summer, the players are ready to get back to team practices and competition, but with many of them missing out on spring sports finishing out the 2019-2020 school year, I believe there is an added excitement and eagerness to their attending practices and working on their game,” she said. “They are very hopeful that we will be able to compete as close to normal as possible. We play a lot of practice matches against various combinations of our own players, but there is nothing like competing with an opposing school.”