The Herald-News - News Story

Tennis time is just around the corner, with Rhea County High School's Golden Eagles scheduled to take the court for their first regular-season match on Monday.

Colder-than-usual temperatures followed by an abundance of rain have hampered the Eagles' preparation time, but luckily they won't be thrown straight into District 5-AAA play, instead opening up against Hixson High School.

"My biggest concern this season would be the strength of the district," said Rhea County Girls' Head Coach Lil Andrews, in her 23rd year with the program.

Andrews was referring to this year's TSSAA reclassification which pulled Cumberland County High School from District 5-AAA and added sporting heavyweights Ooltewah and Soddy Daisy high schools.

"Last year we finished second to Cleveland - our nemesis. They've got a pretty good dynasty going, but Ooltewah and Soddy Daisy are no slouches. And I see McMinn being stronger. There are no gimmes in the whole district," Andrews said.

As of Thursday afternoon, junior Kelci Frecrick and senior Ashley Stewart were still battling for the top-seeded slot on the Lady Eagle roster.

Junior Caylee Cochran is slated for the No. 3 spot, followed by sophomore Kayley Argo at No. 4. Sophomore Addison Edwards and junior Regina Reed are "back and forth" for the fifth and sixth slot, according to Andrews, while Kara McClendon, a senior transfer from Colorado, hopes to work her way into the lineup.

Doubles duos currently look to be either Stewart and McClendon or Cochran and Fredrick at No. 1, while Argo and Reed will likely be third-seed doubles.

"There's no big dropoff in talent. We're pretty solid from one to six and even after that," Andrews said. "I feel good about the attitude and the way they've worked together in our limited practice."

As for the boys, first year head coach Nathan Talley has his work cut out for him. The Eagles graduated five seniors off last year's team, which took top honors in the district in the regular season.

"We're very, very young. But I think all these guys that played last year - the core group - they've been around success. They've all come back even though there's new coach," said Talley, who is replacing former coach Micah Ruehling who led the team for 15 years. "We will lean on Dylan Coulter and Jakob Ricketts for leadership."

Those two are currently slated to play No. 1 and No. 2 singles, respectively, while senior Jacob Davis and sophomore Zach Madewell follow at the three and four slots.

Junior Wesley Sanders and sophomore Evan Smith round out the lineup as No. 5 and No. 6.

As for doubles, Coulter and Sanders are scheduled to pair up for the top slot. Madewell and Ricketts will play in the second seed, while Davis and Smith fill in at No. 3.

"I'm excited to be here. This is my first year coaching tennis, though I coached boys basketball and middle school baseball at Sale Creek last year," said Talley, a physical education teacher.

2010 Tennis

3/15    @ Hixson                4 p.m.
3/18     @ Soddy Daisy                   3:30 p.m.
3/22    @ McMinn Co.               4 p.m.
3/25     @ Red Bank                      3:30 p.m.
3/30     vs. Walker Valley               4 p.m.
4/1    vs. Bradley               3:30 p.m.
4/6     @ Ft. Walton, Fla.              TBA
4/7    @ Choctawhatchee, Fla. 1 p.m.
4/13    vs Soddy Daisy              3:30 p.m.
4/16-17    @ Champions Tourney 8 a.m.
4/20    @ Bradley              3:45 p.m.
4/22     @ Cleveland             3:30 p.m.
4/26    @ Walker Valley             4 p.m.
4/27    vs. Ooltewah            3:30 p.m.
4/29    vs. Hixson             4 p.m.
5/10-11    District tournament   11 a.m.
5/13    Region 3-AAA girls team   TBA
5/14    Region 3-AAA boys team    TBA
5/17     Region 3-AAA individuals TBA
5/20    Sectional Team girls    TBA
5/21    Sectional Team boys    TBA
5/18-21    State tourney @ MTSU    TBA

Cathy Barnes can be contacted at cathy.barnes@rheaheraldnews.com.