Tiger tennis short on experience

Fort Scott High School’s girls’ tennis team will be short on experience this season. Only three players with varsity experience return and there are only nine players overall.

“We graduated five of our top eight players,” Fort Scott head coach Lynn Barr said. “The three returning players all saw some varsity action last season.”

Senior Madi Larson and juniors Rebekah Sweyko and Britni Addington are the ones with varsity experience. Larson was 10-9 in doubles with a graduated partner last season. Sweyko and Addington were 6-4 together in doubles and Sweyko split a pair of varsity matches.

Aubry Terry is the Tigers’ only other senior. Patience Richwine, Abbie Houston and Shaylee Terry are juniors and Addie Smith and Alexis Bailey are sophomores. There are no freshmen on the roster.

“We will be counting on other players stepping up and filling those open varsity positions,” Barr said. “At this time, our lineup may change some from week to week as we experiment some with players in different positions.”

The varsity season opens Thursday at Parsons. Barr says that Larson, Terry, Sweyko, Addington, Richwine and Houston will be in the lineup. Terry, Smith and Bailey played in the Tigers’ home junior varsity tournament on Monday (details on page 11).

“We have several girls that are very close right now, which is resulting in some close challenge matches during practices,” Barr said.

All of the players currently on the team have played tennis every season they’ve been in high school. Barr is hoping to add some players later in the week once classes begin.

The Southeast Kansas League will feature strong competition in defending champion Independence as well as Parsons, Chanute and Pittsburg. The league tournament will be held in Chanute on Sept. 30.

Fort Scott’s varsity will host its home tournament on Sept. 19. The JV has another home tourney on Sept. 11.

2017 FSHS GIRLS’ TENNIS

All events begin at 3 p.m. unless noted.

VARSITY

Inv. at Parsons

FORT SCOTT INV.

Southeast Kansas

League Tournament

at Chanute, 9 a.m.

JUNIOR VARSITY

at Pittsburg, 4 p.m.

Inv. at Parsons

FORT SCOTT INV, 1 p.m.