The Lakeland High School tennis program aims to hit the courts as soon as possible as they prepare for the 2024 season.
“I am excited for tennis,” Libby Hatcher said. “I want to get to know my teammates more. I like to go out there in the sun and take out my anger on the ball. it is really fun. I have been playing tennis since freshman year, and my goal this year is to make state.”
The tennis coaches are William Ryan, Shannon Hall and Brian Williams.
“I have been coaching tennis for three years,” Ryan said. “I enjoy when we can go outside. I enjoy being out there with the kids, getting to know them better, watching them play. My goal for this year is to qualify as many kids as we can.”
Last season, LHS sent Brady Hanna and Cole Andres to state as a doubles team, Addie Raebel and Ellie Carlson as a doubles team and Ben Ryan as a single. Ryan is the only remaining member of this group on the tennis roster.
They are more than open to having more people join the team and love helping people find their love for this sport. They would love to have more people come try out tennis and join the group.
“This is my third year coaching,” Hall said. “I like the athletes I get to work with. I enjoy that it is a lifelong sport, and teaching athletes that it is a lifelong sport is fun. My goal for the program is to get at least three state qualifiers.”
Their first meet this season is on March 13 at Post Falls High School.
“This is my third year playing tennis,” Scott Glass said. “I like the people. they are very fun to play with. It is just a fun sport. My goals for this year are to make varsity and make it to state. I always fidget with my racket in between points.”
