The tennis teams practice together every Tuesday and Thursday from 3:45-5 at the University of Montevallo courts in preparation for this season’s matches.  During practice, team members perform drills and prepare for their games.
    The teams will use the University of Montevallo tennis courts as their home courts.  Both teams will play at home against Sumiton Christian Thursday, March 15 and Altamont Tuesday, April 3.  The girls will have an additional home game against Indian Springs Wednesday, Feb. 29.
    The away games will include Westminster Thursday, Feb. 16, ACA Friday, March 2, Chilton County Monday, April 2 and Sumiton Christian Thursday, April 12. The boys’ team will have another away game against Indian Springs Monday, Feb. 27.   
    The tennis season will end with sectionals April 16-19.
    This year’s tennis sponsors are Mary Howard and Joy Hicks.
    “I am excited to be working with the tennis team this year,” Howard said.  “I have never sponsored an athletic team before, and I am looking forward to the challenge.  I haven’t played tennis in several years, but I am actually glad to have a reason to pick up a racquet again.”
    The boys’ tennis team includes seniors Keelon Bunn, Brett Gray, Alex Peete and Peter Seeds; junior Austin Nall; sophomore John Wagner; freshmen Gabe Bridges and J.D. Hanna.
    “I’m looking forward to my senior tennis season,” Seeds said. “With Mrs. Howard as our coach, I think it’s going to be our best season ever.”
    The girls’ tennis team includes seniors Brianna Champion, Kelsey Childress, Alisha Glover, Maryann Lee, Jessica Norris, Kathryn Ray and Andrea Vasquez; juniors Sarah Hyde and Klara Ernst; sophomores Shala Jordan, Sarai Olvera-Hernandez, Fabi Ovando, Maddie Phillips and Xan Shivers; and freshman Kimberly Valencia.
    “I hope that this year will be the best out of the three that I have played,” Norris said.  “I’m looking forward to having a new coach.”
    All of the tennis players are excited about the sponsors and the season in general.
    “I am excited about playing tennis this year,” Childress said.  “This is my senior year and it’s going to be great with Mrs. Howard’s encouragement.”