The Newton County Academy tennis team was on the brink of claiming another state championship last season before losing several matches to Manchester Academy in the finals.
NCA tennis coach Pete Mazzella hopes his team is in the same position this season.
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“I think the key for us is we have to continue to improve throughout the year,” Mazzella said. “Every match on our schedule is going to be a challenge, and that will help us get stronger into the state tournament. We aren’t that far off, really. Conditioning is going to play a big part, and we have focused on that. We have won and lost state championships because of fitness.”
NCA will return an experienced girls team this fall with five of the seven starters returning from last year’s squad.
Leading the way for the Lady Generals is senior Anna Moore, who has signed to play at East Central. Piper Rose returns after finishing as runner-up in No. 2 singles while Belle and Lilly Hollingsworth return at No. 2 girls doubles.
Also expected to compete for playing time will be seniors Madison Busby and Anna Turner along with Ashley Barrett, Kaden Alexander and Ayden McDill.
“I think we have got a good shot to compete on the girls side again,” Mazzella said. “I feel like we have the pieces, it’s just a matter of putting them in the right places. We have got some experience coming back and some talented newcomers. My biggest thing is going to be where to situate everybody. We have so many possibilities. I’m excited about this group. It might not be the most talented group that I have had but they are a fun group to work with.”
On the boys side, the Generals must replace five out of the seven starters. Coming back is Eli Finnegan and Jordan Mason.
Mazzella said he is expecting Jamie Chapman, sixth grader Taylor Burt, Zander Meeks, Reed Terrell, Riley Boswell, Wesley Chapman and Cooper Savell to battle for playing time.
“It’s really next man up for the boys team,” Mazzella said. “I talk about it a lot. It’s a lot like a pipeline. We try to start them young and hopefully when it’s their time, they are ready to play.”
The NCA tennis team will open play on March 17 when they host Union at East Central.
