Tennis season starts at Central

January 20, 2017

The Clarke Central High School varsity tennis team poses for a photo before the region tournament during the 2015-16 school year. This year, the regions were realigned, placing the CCHS team in a region with several new teams. “I think being in a new region alignment (8-AAAAA), we’re going to be picking up some teams like Buford High School, Johnson High School (and) Walnut Grove High School that we’ve never competed against,” varsity tennis coach Stephen Hinson said . Photo courtesy of Stephen Hinson.

By ELENA GILBERTSON HALL – Staff Writer

The Clarke Central High School tennis season for the 2016-17 school year began on Jan. 17.

Clarke Central High School tennis team members and coaches have high expectations for this season.

“We’ve been really lucky the past three years. (The girls’ team) made state every year,” varsity tennis coach Stephen Hinson said. “I fully expect the girls to make state (again this year).”

To do so, the team must finish as one of the top four teams in the region.

“I think (with) anything less than a region championship, I’m going to be very disappointed because they are very experienced. I don’t think there would be any excuse at that point, and it’s just something they’re going to have to go out and accomplish because they’re absolutely 100 percent capable,” Hinson said.

Varsity tennis player Mary Carroll Waller, a junior, agrees with her coach’s expectations for the team.

“(The girls’ team) went to state last year, so (my goal is to) go back to state and maybe try to get higher than we did last year,” Waller said

The boys’ team has very few returning players, and Hinson predicts a rebuilding season.

“I think the guys are going to have a rebuilding year. Even though some of the players are really good we just don’t have the numbers,” Hinson said.

While Hinson is focused on team success, he wants players to feel accomplished regardless of outcome.

“I want the teams to be proud of themselves. Even if we don’t win region or even if the guys don’t have the best season, just as long as they can look at it and say, ‘Number one, we gave it everything we had, and we didn’t lay down for anybody, and number two, we had fun.’ That’s it.”

Elena Gilbertson Hall

Elena Gilbertson Hall is a senior at Clarke Central High School in Athens, Georgia where she is the Editor-in-Chief for the ODYSSEY Media Group. Gilbertson Hall has been on the staff of the ODYSSEY for four years and previously served as a news writer, covering important issues in the school and community while also exploring multimedia content and other forms of journalistic work. She was presented the Georgia Junior Champion Journalist Award by the Georgia Scholastic Press Association in 2019. She has also presented at multiple journalism conferences, including the Southern Interscholastic Press Association and GSPA.