Bainbridge tennis teams prepare to play Veterans in the first round of the region tournament
Published 4:52 pm Tuesday, April 11, 2017
After a much-needed rest over spring break, the Bainbridge tennis teams are back at it preparing for the region tournament on Thursday. Both boys and girls teams have drawn Veterans in the first round.
The talent of the teams, from top to bottom, is tough. The tournament is set to be a dogfight this year, but Thomas thinks her team is primed and ready to go.
“We had spring break and took a much needed rest,” said Thomas. “I think everybody is playing at a high level and peaking at the best time of the season.”
According to head coach Amy Thomas, the girls team is particularly excited for their chance at the tournament.
“They’re playing more than they’ve played outside of practice time in the last several years,” said Thomas. “They just have a tenacity about them at practice, they’re making sure they’re pushing each other and I think that’s something they’ve needed.”
The girls team has been itching to claim the elusive region title after missing out on it over the past two seasons.
Three starters on the girls team are new to playing in the region tournament. The young team has built experience over the season, but competing for a title is another thing all together.
In practice, Thomas sees no inexperience in the girls’ work ethic.
“The atmosphere that I’m picking up on is it’s our turn,” said Thomas. “Others are not having to pick them up. To them, they’ve sat here and watched this tournament for years and now it’s their time to win.”
For the boys, a recent string of injuries has put a damper on their title hopes. Lawson Humphrey’s broken wrist has cost the team a starting doubles player, but according to Thomas he could be cleared by doctors before the matches on Thursday.
In the girls’ bracket, regardless of draw, the competition would have been tough per Thomas. However, on the boys side, drawing Veterans gives the Bearcats a good chance to advance.
The Bearcats have played Veterans well on two occasions this season.
The Lady Cats match is Thursday at 11:30 a.m. and the boys match is Thursday at 10 a.m.
