Transforming the Tennis Landscape: Marion-Area Teams Embrace Change and Continuity

The 2024 girls tennis season in the Marion area is shaping up to be a dynamic mix of new beginnings and familiar faces. While River Valley prepares to break in its fresh courts, Pleasant welcomes a new coach, and Marion Harding maintains its status quo. This comprehensive preview delves into the unique challenges and opportunities facing each team, setting the stage for an exciting year on the courts.

Elevating the Game: Marion-Area Teams Poised for Success

Marion Harding: Consistency and Proven Leadership

Marion Harding's girls tennis team is poised for another strong season, led by the legendary Blaine Pitts, who is nearing a remarkable 500 career wins. In his 32nd season with the Marion City Schools, Pitts has amassed an impressive 405-257 record, and his overall mark stands at 480-309 over his 38-year coaching career. The Presidents will once again be in the mix for the Mid Ohio Athletic Conference (MOAC) championship, with Shelby as the favorite. Pitts is confident in his team's ability to compete, stating, "Shelby is the favorite. We hope to compete with them." He will be assisted by Noe Camp and Nicole Flock in guiding the team.Returning to the lineup are senior Audrey Feasel in first singles and senior Raina Smith in second singles, both of whom will resume their roles. Seniors Abbey Hoertz and Kaia Berry, as well as junior Abigail Hanke, played doubles last year and will look to build on their experience. Joining the varsity squad this year are junior Keira Camp, junior Serenity Blevins, and sophomore Macey Harper. The team will miss the contributions of Autumn and Sierra Silverio, as well as Sophie Beechum, who have graduated.Pitts acknowledges that the team's strength lies in its experienced singles players, but he is hopeful that the new doubles players can quickly catch up and contribute to the team's success.

Pleasant: A New Era Begins with a Fresh Perspective

After a decade at the helm, Spartans coach Kirsten Jordan has stepped down, paving the way for Allison Edwards to take over the reins. Edwards, who previously served as an assistant, inherits a largely new roster, as graduation claimed five of the seven varsity players from last year's squad.The most experienced Pleasant players on the court will be seniors Anya Miller and Kylie Klaiber, who were doubles partners last season, along with junior Bailey Leslie, who also saw some doubles action a year ago. Rounding out the team are junior Mary Aurigemma and sophomores Carly Peyton, Sarah Jordan, and Keya Patel.Edwards is excited about the potential of her young team, stating, "My team has a very hard work ethic and drive. We have a younger team who are eager to learn and improve their skills." The team's primary goal for the season is to focus on improvement and gaining valuable experience.

River Valley: Embracing New Courts and Veteran Leadership

The River Valley Vikings will be breaking in their new courts this fall, and they will be doing so with a largely veteran crew. The only departures from last year's team were Rose Linville at first singles and doubles player Addi Comstock.Leading the Vikings will be seniors Amelia Young, Ava Stover, Natalie Polley, and Elise Osborne, all of whom will play key roles. Joining them in the lineup will be Kennedy Rensch, Brooke Adams, Phoebe Klenzman, Lauren Hildreth, and Jeanine Hoffman. Additionally, the team will welcome a junior transfer student from Marion Harding, Sophie Beechum, who brings valuable experience to the courts.Head coach Sherry Jenkins is optimistic about her team's prospects, stating, "We should land in the top of the middle of the pack" in the MOAC. The team's goals include showing improvement throughout the season and winning their invitational tournament.