Washington County Enterprise-Leader
Doubles Team Highlights Farmington Tennis
CARDINAL’S SEASON IN REVIEW
FARMINGTON — The Cardinal tennis season was highlighted by the boys doubles team of seniors Payton Maxwell and Coleman Warren winning the 5A West district tournament and placing third at state.
Coach Denver Holt emphasized going after conference opponents in an effort to gain favorable seeding with an aim at getting to state and competing for state trophies.
“This year we were always talking about how to make that path easier for us, and that’s exactly what they did,” Holt said. “We were trying to put ourselves in position to win a district championship and by winning that it puts us in position to compete for a state championship.”
By winning the 5A West Conference title, Maxwell and Warren earned the No. 3 overall seed for State 5A tennis play.
“They only lost two matches in conference play,” Holt said.
The boys lost to Alma early, won a couple of matches, then lost to Greenbrier before getting on a roll and finishing 7-2 in league competition.
“After that loss to Greenbrier, they didn’t lose again until state,” Holt said.
Pairing the seniors together seemed a natural fit for Holt. Warren’s doubles’ partner from the
the year before graduated and Maxwell was coming off a state tournament appearance in singles competition as a junior.
“To begin with the fact they are good friends and have played tennis together for a very long time,” Holt said. “So they already had that chemistry that doubles teams need to have. They did what great doubles teams do. When one teammate is not playing well, they pick up that teammate either by encouragement or by picking up the slack.”
Each took turns on point and complemented one another by rallying the team when one was off-game a little bit. Holt was more than pleased with the end result.
“They did what you need to do in any sport which is play your best at the right time,” Holt said. “They played their best going into the district tournament and going into the state tournament.”
Girls No. 1 Singles
Junior Reagan White held the No. 1 girls singles spot for Farmington. She finished the conference season strong after starting out with early losses.
“She played her way into the state tournament, as well,” Holt said. “She had to overcome some losses early, but played her way into the top four.”
Again, Holt said he talked about that by winning at the district tournament that made the path easier to get into the state tournament.
“By winning her first two matches at district, she earned her spot in the state tournament,” Holt said.
White drew a tough seed, facing Thea Rice, of Hot Springs Lakeside, the eventual 5A State champion and overall state champion.
“That was a very tough matchup for Reagan,” Holt said. “What I liked coming out of that match (6-0, 6-0, 6-0 straight set losses) is that Reagan is even more eager to improve her skill set now that she’s been to the state tournament and knows what it’s all about. She’s seen what it’s like, she’s seen what it takes to go in and win.”
Holt appreciates White’s eagerness to put herself back in a position to not only compete, but win and advance at the state tournament.
Boys No. 1 Singles
Senior Austin Raabe stepped into the role of boys No. 1 singles player after being No. 2 last year. Austin Raabe’s off-season work ethic and individual training impressed his coach.
“He put the work in the last couple of years going from a ‘mainly slice everything kind of kid’ to ‘I’m going to try to beat you through power and I’m going to change up my game on you,’” Holt said. “Austin is a special young man.”
Holt’s lasting memory of Austin Raabe came from his very last match against a young man from Greenbrier, who was the No. 2 seed at the district tournament.
“Going into the match, Austin had never beaten this young man, but Austin didn’t let that phase him,” Holt said. “He kept attacking Greenbrier and played with an effort like someone, who was hungry to get to the state tournament because Austin’s never been and he wanted to go.”
Watching Austin Raabe compete made Holt proud to be his coach because Holt felt Austin Raabe did such a tremendous job of representing the Cardinal tennis program, Farmington High School, the community, and most importantly, his family. Austin’s younger brother, Taylor Raabe, is a freshman in Farmington tennis program.
“To sum up that match, now that he is graduating, if he attacks life like he did that match then I have no doubt he will be successful,” Holt said.
Returning Boys
Holt has some good kids coming back for the boys tennis team featuring the doubles team of Joshua Jowers and Noah Disheroon.
“They came in as freshmen and made an immediate impact as my No. 2 doubles team,” Holt said. “Unfortunately, they suffered two heartbreaking losses in split sets the last two years with a chance to go into state. By enduring those losses early, I have faith they will use those losses to continue to improve, work hard and get into the state tournament next year.”
Returning Girls
Next year all except two players on the girls team return. The squad returns a lot of experience which Holt feels will help as the Cardinals return to 4A. Juniors Katelyn Cunningham (singles) and Taighton Pettigrew (doubles) gained a lot of experience competing in the district tournament.
“I’m going to look to them to be our senior leaders because on the girls side we are still very young with a lot of first-year players,” Holt said. “Moving down to 4A, we’re looking to compete against Shiloh Christian, Prairie Grove and Harrison will be in our conference, as well.
The squad will resume practices in April.