With only one varsity player returning, it was a good time for the Festus boys tennis team to add an experienced assistant coach.
Scott Grey joins Angela Tinnin, who has helped guide the Tigers for 10 years, the last five as head coach.
“We are working daily on the correct execution of groundstrokes, volleys and serves, along with focusing on consistency and point construction,” said Tinnin, who has led Festus to three Jefferson County Activities Association championships and one district title (2021). “Many repetitions.and lots of time on the court in the offseason are the keys to becoming successful tennis players.
“We have a team full of great kids. They are hard-working students who will become productive members of society. Our saying is, ‘We are good people.’ In the time we have with them, we are dedicated to instilling a good work ethic in our kids.”
Junior Levi Green is the Tigers No. 1 singles player and Tinnin said he has put in a lot of work in the offseason to improve his serve and groundstrokes.
“He has a powerful serve that he is striving to fine-tune,” she said.
At No. 2 is tall junior Preston Rakers, who also plays soccer for Festus in the fall. Rakers usually has a height advantage on the court, helping with his reach on shots and his serving.
“We are working to capitalize on that,” Tinnin said.
No. 3 Colby Bailey, the lone varsity returnee, is an Eagle Scout who plans to seek admission into a military academy after he graduates in 2025. He’s been working diligently to improve his groundstrokes and serves and has become a dependable team leader in warmups, running and exercises.
Junior Franky Liu (No. 4) also has developed his strength and skills in the offseason. Freshman Will Rakers (No. 5), Preston’s brother, is developing a nice forehand, backhand and volleys. “With experience, he stands to be a very successful player,” Tinnin said.
At No. 6, senior Abie Luo is serious and thoughtful on the court, Tinnin said. “He is working to perfect his slice and spin on various shots.”
No. 7 is freshman Aiden Cantrell, who is skilled athletically and gaining confidence with his groundstrokes and volleys.
The Festus doubles teams start with No. 1 Green/Bailey, followed by Preston Rakers/Liu, Will Rakers/Aiden Cantrell, siblings Abie Luo and sophomore Avin Luo, Zach Rector/Toby Tilley, Evan Griffin/Eli Getting and Jaden Staat/Caiden Ward.
Festus will play in Class 2 District 1 in Farmington next month. The Tigers have had several players in the postseason since Tinnin arrived a decade ago. Christina Carrig advanced to sectionals in 2016. One year later, Michael Hawkins qualified for state and Alex Tinnin, the coach’s daughter, made it to the sectional round. Michael Esparza advanced to sectionals in 2019 and his brother, Ryan, did the same two years later. The doubles duo of Paige Wilkinson and Dustin Peters reached sectionals in 2021.
“A few of our players take lessons outside of the school season,” Tinnin said. “We highly recommend that the kids continue playing and seek instruction in the offseason. This is how they develop and improve their skills.”
This is Doc Carranza’s 25th season of coaching tennis at Windsor. When the Owls hosted North County on Wednesday, after the Leader deadline, it was Carranza’s 500th combined match coaching Windsor’s boys and girls.
Junior Pierce Cummings, a third-year varsity player, is the Owls No. 1. His strengths are his serve and groundstrokes. Junior Jack McKinley (No. 2) is on the varsity for the first time and Carranza said his biggest asset is his hustle. At No. 3, junior Dustin Reigle has a good serve and net play. This is senior Nick Baer’s second season on the varsity, and Carranza said Baer (No. 4) is an intense competitor who does not like to lose. Junior Desmond Ericson (No. 5) is in his first year and is a solid baseline player. Senior and No. 6 Braydon Belding qualified for the Class 3 state wrestling championships in February at 120 pounds.
From top to bottom, Windsor’s doubles pairings are Cummings/Reigle; McKinley/Ericson; Baer/senior Tony Najjar; Belding/senior Cameron Busch and sophomore Joey Marshall/junior Riley Hudson.
The Owls host Class 1 District 2. The last Windsor players to win a district or sectional match were the doubles team of Parker Schaefer and Alex Barton, district champions in 2018.
None of the Windsor players take tennis lessons outside of school.
“I do encourage it, but they are expensive and we do camps, and I tell them they need to play in tournaments over the summer,” Carranza said.
Lauren Partney enters her first season as the Crystal City head coach and the Hornets have a mixed team. The versatile senior Isabella Hankins is the No. 1 singles player.
“She has accurate shots and picks up the other players’ weaknesses quickly,” Partney said.
Sophomore Nate Declue at No. 2 has powerful and accurate serves.
“He can get to any ball on the court with his quick speed,” Partney said.
Blake Parker, a freshman, is No. 3 and is one of the team’s most aggressive players. “She’s not afraid to play anyone,” Partney said. “She’s a very smart player.”
Junior and No. 4 Korynn Watters has strong net play and is quick to anticipate opponents’ shots. Senior Amaya Manning (No. 5) has great consistency with her serves and deep ball shots. This is sophomore Maya Hankins’ first year playing tennis and she has a lot of potential in the No. 6 slot.
“She can get to any ball on the court and is aggressive and consistent,” Partney said.
Crystal’s top doubles teams are Isabella Hankins/Parker, Declue/Maya Hankins and Watters/ Manning.
Unable to field a junior varsity or varsity squad last season, St. Pius X is playing a JV schedule this spring. Head coach Stephen Kainz said when members of the JCAA voted in early March to expel the Lancers from the conference, some of their scheduled matches were canceled.