Pamplico – Like death and taxes, another sure bet in life is that Hannah-Pamplico will be highly competitive in girls tennis every fall.
The Lady Raiders took the courts this fall with high expectations and achieved at a successful level once again. Guided by veteran coach Rusty Turner, Hannah-Pamplico put together another outstanding season, winning a seventh consecutive region championship. The season ended in the state semi-finals of the Class A state tournament, losing to perennial state powerhouse Christ Church.
“It was a good season. The girls put in a lot of hard work and they did well,” Turner said.
Don’t expect much of a drop off next season as most of the team will return, with some younger players waiting in the wings to make their mark.
The starting lineup included only two seniors. Madison Rodgers played No. 1 singles and Leah Watkins played No. 5 singles.
Junior Chamblee Poston worked as the No. 2 singles player and junior Elizabeth Mims played No. 3 singles. Sophomore Layla Cooper was entrenched as the No. 4 singles performer.
Juniors Aislyn Bram and Hailey Marlowe formed the No. 2 doubles team, while Rodgers and Poston were the No. 1 doubles team.
Rounding out the roster this season were Addy Farmer, Tillie Bass, Hailey Moore and Caroline Sandoval.
“I feel like we will remain competitive next season,” Turner said. “We will miss the two seniors and their leadership but it’s time for others to step into that role. I’m looking forward to putting it all together next year.”
This was Turner’s eighth season in his second stint as the coach. He also coached during 2006-07. He returned as coach when he returned to working at the school.
“When you know you have a tradition going and the girls will work hard, it makes it enjoyable to coach them.”
The volleyball team also qualified for the Class A Lower State playoffs, finishing the season with 11 wins. Three players received postseason region honors. Selected first-team all-region were Payten Poston and Savannah Owen, while Isabella Davis was a second-team all-region performer.
In cross country, Adam Elliott finished third in the region 6-A meet. He also participated in the Class A state qualifying meet, finishing 18th overall.
Davis Kimbrough finished 11th at the region meet and Kyle Elliott finished 21st. Stokes Scott finished in 23rd and Hayden McKenzie finished 29th. Rayce Shird, Miller Owens and Chase Stone also ran for the squad this fall.
Two female runners ran in the region meet. Elizabeth Garcia Rueda finished ninth and Claudia Garcia Rueda finished 15th in the region race.
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