Tennis team looking for contributions from everyone

With only nine players, everyone on Whitehall's tennis team will see extensive court time.
With only nine players, everyone on Whitehall’s tennis team will see extensive court time.

Whitehall’s tennis players won’t have to compete for court time.

With only nine players on the roster, everyone, including the team’s freshmen will be asked to contribute.

“I told the freshman, they’ll be playing a lot on the varsity level,” said head coach Charlie Bascue. “It’s not going to be easy; it’s a tough league, but they’ll have the opportunity to learn to play.”

Seven players are gone from last year’s squad including Emilee Wilbur, Lia McKee and Abby Connors, players relied upon last year for the senior leadership. The team also lost its best singles player, Dominic Gregory.

Juniors Rachel Aubin and Ryan St. Clair and sophomore Alex Wood will be given the first crack at replacing Gregory as the team’s ace.

Bascue said Aubin has a natural stroke.

“She’s got a very good forehand and a nice two-handed backhand,” Bascue said.

St. Clair, who has played a lot of doubles the last two years, will be asked to contribute more as a singles player and Bascue is expected to ask more out of Wood after cutting his teeth on the varsity level last season.

Harlie Keane and Faith Eaton, the team’s only seniors, will be asked to provide veteran leadership and will either play together as the number one doubles team or round out the team’s top five singles.

Zack Rice, who has worked diligently on his serve, will also see some play in some matches as a singles player.

Freshmen Matt Austin, Beoncia Chaplin, and Allison Truttling will likely make up one of the doubles teams.

With such a thin and inexperienced roster, the team will be hard-pressed to compete for a league title, but Bascue said winning is second to learning and enjoying the sport.

Whitehall hosted its first match of the season yesterday (results weren’t available before the paper went to press) and will host Argyle tomorrow at 4:15 p.m.

Roster

 

Harlie Keane, Sr.

Faith Eaton, Sr.

Ryan St. Clair, Jr.

Rachel Aubin, Jr.

Zack Rice, So.

Alex Wood, So.

Matt Austin, Fr.

Beoncia Chaplin, Fr.

Allison Truttling, Fr.