Highland girls tennis returns experience in singles and doubles play for 2022 season

For the first time in two years, the Highland girls tennis team will be blessed with experience in both the singles and doubles flights as they return to competition in a few weeks.

“We have a good number of returners coming back in singles and in doubles that played in tournaments for us last year,” Highland coach Matt Pellock said.

In the singles flights, HHS has senior Addison Crask back at No. 1 singles, Sophia Fleming at No. 2 singles, and Allie Rinderer at No. 3 singles.

Crask, Fleming, and Rinderer are set in the top three singles spots and should fare well there during the season.

Beyond the top three spots, the Lady Bulldogs will have an open competition to see who takes over the Nos. 4-6 singles slots for match and tournament competition this fall.

“There will be a lot to be decided (with the final three spots) because we have a lot of girls back,” Pellock said.

Crask, Fleming, and Rinderer will also see action in the doubles flights along with juniors Maya Pollard, Madison Stehlik, and Abby Chalfant.

Other players who will lend experience in doubles play are juniors Mya Thomilson, Ruthie Manor, and McKenzie Davis.

“We have a lot of girls that played a lot of doubles for us last year in tournaments, so the depth at doubles might be a little bit stronger for us,” Pellock said.

Looking ahead, Pellock believes this group can get back to the IHSA Class 1A sectional round of the postseason this fall.

“If we’re back in that same spot and there’s a lot of good players back ... it’s going to be a challenge, so I think we’ll match up just fine with a lot of them. I think the experience coming in (this season) should allow us to keep similar goals like we’ve had in the past to get a team or two through (to state),” Pellock said.

The Lady Bulldog netters open the season at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 20, at the Alton Invite.

This story was originally published August 9, 2022 at 10:22 AM.