Clarke Central High School varsity girls tennis player Ruby Frye, a senior, poses at the ODYSSEY Media Group’s 2026 Spring Media Day on Feb. 21 in the CCHS Competition Gym. The girls team lost seven graduating seniors at the end of the 2024-25 season, and has since worked to build connections among remaining players. “Being able to work together as a team in this season is so important, because you can train in the off season and you can get your good technical skills down, but when you play doubles, it really comes down to being able to play well with your partner and know how your team works together,” Frye said. Photo by Kye Streetman
In their first home match of the 2025-26 season, the CCHS varsity girls tennis team will play against Hart County High School on Feb. 25.
The Clarke Central High School varsity girls tennis team will play against Hart County High School in a non-region match on Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. at Bishop Park.
After playing other out-of-region teams like North Oconee High School, Oconee County High School and Madison County High School since competition began on Feb. 3, the team has an overall record of 1-4.
“So far, we’ve played some pretty difficult schools, but they’ve been really good matches. We’ve learned a lot from playing (them),” CCHS varsity girls tennis player Ruby Frye, a senior, said. “We know what we can work on , and I think there’s going to be a lot of improvement for (the match against HCHS).”
“The girls are a very young team, so (we’re) really just hoping for experience and growth, and (I’m) already seeing that,”
— Elliot Slane,
CCHS head varsity tennis coach
The Lady Gladiators have only three returning varsity players after losing seven graduating seniors at the end of the 2024-25 season. With ten total players, the other seven either come from last year’s practice team, who didn’t compete in matches, or are brand new to the program.
“The girls are a very young team, so (we’re) really just hoping for experience and growth, and (I’m) already seeing that,” CCHS head varsity tennis coach Elliot Slane said. “There’s a good core of sophomore players who have been working together, and they’ve definitely improved a lot.”
In addition to the match against HCHS, CCHS lost to MCHS on Feb. 23 and will play Elbert County High School on Feb. 26. These three will mark the last matches before Georgia High School Association Region 8-AAAAA play begins.
“It’ll be good to have a lot of energy for our first home match. I’m excited to know what position I’ll be playing, because we won’t actually know until the day before,” Frye said. “I think we have a really good chance at winning on Wednesday, and I’m excited to see how it turns out.”
