Clarke Central High School junior Houston Heyward waits to receive a ball on the CCHS tennis courts on Jan. 23. Heyward was excited to make the team and follow in the footsteps of his older brother. “My brother played tennis when he was here,” Heyward said. “He said it was some of the most fun he’s ever had.” Photo by Luna Reichert
The Clarke Central High School tennis team head coach Elliot Slane shares his hopes for the upcoming season.
The Clarke Central High School boys tennis team started practicing its 2020 season on Jan. 21 with the goal to place second or higher in the region tournament by the end of the season, according to CCHS head tennis coach Elliot Slane.
“We got a bunch of matches– right now we have 13 on the schedule,” Slane said. “Our goal really going into the region tournament, for both squads, is to at least be no. II in the region tournament and get that good seeding. If we do that, then I think both teams can advance well in the state playoffs. I have similar expectations for both teams, and they’re both high.”
Slane spent two years as an assistant coach under previous head coach Stephen Hinson and is still adjusting to his first year of being head coach.
“Being head coach– what I’ve realized is it means a lot of logistical planning. Setting the schedules, being the point of contact for the athletic department and tennis as a sport, and really just the person someone looks to for information and organization,” Slane said. “We want to not just have a strong program this year, but (also) thinking what’s gonna make us successful in the long run and not just this season.”
Slane believes the 2019 season went very well but is expecting some challenges due to the graduation of their star player.
“Both boys and girls made it to the second round in the state tournament, so we both at least won a single playoff match. Honestly, (the) guys fell about where I expected them to and (the) girls overachieved,” Slane said. “Last year on the guys team we had our #1 player Elijah Gabriel graduate, he now plays Division III at Allegheny College. He was an awesome player for us so we’re going to have some big shoes to fill. I still expect the guys to do really well but I think our lineups (are) going to be changing a lot.”
Clarke Central High School junior Houston Heyward serves a ball on Jan. 27. Heyward hopes that his competitive nature will allow him to improve his tennis skills. “I’ve always been super competitive. Everything I do, whether it’s a game, sports, or school I want to do the best I possibly can,” Heyward said. “So getting to play and really compete for my team would allow me to take that to the next level.” Photo by Luna Reichert
CCHS tennis player Houston Heyward, a junior, made the team this year and hopes to grow as a player throughout the upcoming season.
“I started practicing for this season in August, and I’ve been practicing since then,” Heyward said. “I just hope to be able to gain more skills and be able to return every ball that gets put at me.”
