Tiger Tennis Preps For District

PRAIRIE GROVE — The Prairie Grove tennis team is gearing up for the upcoming District 4A-1 tournament at Harrison on Tuesday, Sept. 25.

The Tigers have competed in six meets coming into the final week with two more meets, Tuesday at home against Harrison, and Thursday, to sharpen their skills before entering district competition.

The Tigers celebrate senior night on Thursday to honor boys: Brandon LeDuc (No. 1 boys singles), Noah Akey (No. 3 boys singles), and Luke Mitchell; and girl’s team member, Grace Gauldin (No. 2 girls singles). Mitchell and junior Micah Sam comprise the boys No. 2 doubles team while juniors Will Luther and Cole Vertz are the boys No. 1 doubles team. Junior Griffin Roton is boys No. 2 singles.

Coach Dana Froud is optimistic the doubles teams can qualify for state.

“The best addition to the boys by far is Cole Vertz, who came out this year for the first time,” Froud said. “Him and Will (Luther) have made a really good doubles team. As the season has gone on they have some really good chemistry. Micah and Luke have a good chance to make it to state as well if they’re playing their best at the conference tournament.”

Froud thinks singles players can also get to state.

“Our No. 1 guy, Brandon LeDuc, if he’s playing his best at the conference tournament, he can play with anybody,” Froud said. “I feel like he’ll do that.”

Junior Sarah Myane is girls No. 1 singles. Freshman Hayleigh Hunt is girls No. 3 singles. Sophomore Alyssa LeDuc and freshman Julissa Mauk are the girls No. 1 doubles with freshmen Toni Parrish and Maci Edwards forming the girls No. 2 doubles.

“With the girls I’m real excited because we’ve got four freshmen and a sophomore who came out and have never played tennis before,” Froud said. “They have a real good attitude. They come from real, good families. They’re fun to be around. They’re going to take their lumps, but that’s part of the process and I want them to stick around.”

According to Froud, the No. 1 ranked singles girl in the conference is from Harrison, yet she thinks Myane can play with the No. 2 singles girl from Shiloh Christian.

“If she plays like she’s capable of playing she can beat her and make it, go to state, and make it to the tournament,” Froud said.

Thursday’s meet begins at 3:30 p.m. against rival, Farmington, at the Prairie Grove tennis courts across the street from the Battlefield State Park.

“They’re going to take their lumps, but that’s part of the process and I want them to stick around.”

Dana Froud Prairie Grove Tennis Coach