Entering the 2015 season with many familiar faces and some fresh talent, the Montezuma-Cortez High School tennis team is hoping to improve on last season’s results.
Coaching the Panthers this season will longtime Cortez resident Valarie Bauer, who has previously led youth volleyball teams in the area and has long been a fixture on local tennis courts.
Former M-CHS head coach Dan Wood and former M-CHS state qualifier Andi Pickens will assist Bauer this season.
Although much of the M-CHS lineup has yet to be decided, junior Raquel Lucero has locked down the No. 1 singles position after playing No. 2 singles last year. A talented athlete capable of hitting to all areas of the court, Lucero is hoping that playing against top singles players will provide valuable experience.
“My goal is to get better because I’m probably not going to go to state or anything fancy,” said Lucero. “I’m hoping that this year will get me prepared for next year.”
Penciled in to play No. 2 singles is junior Skye Cole, who played No. 1 doubles last season and prior to this year, has not played singles. The junior said, however, that her adjustment to singles has not been difficult and that she is hoping to excel.
“Singles is all me and I like that,” said Cole. “It hasn’t been a big adjustment. My goal is to get better and just see how far I can make it.”
Rounding out M-CHS’s singles players will be junior volleyball star Laurel Chappell, who played No. 2 doubles last year in her first year of high school tennis.
Junior Ashley Moore, junior Kristin Pierce or possibly sophomore Angel Veach will join senior Tori Calliham at No. 1 doubles, while Angel Veach, Kayla Carver and Tydall Davis will round out the rest of the doubles lineup.
“Our goal is to work together and work hard,” Calliham. “As a senior, I try to provide encouragement to my teammates.”
M-CHS will open its season at home against Gallup, Delta and Hotchkiss on March 14. The Lady Panthers will then play at home against Durango on March 17.
