Ashland youth tennis program sparks dreams of high school career

ASHLAND — From year to year, weather may play a factor in the schedule, but there are always two consistencies in the Ashland summer tennis program’s junior tournament.

Friendship and fun.

And don’t forget a possible varsity high school career.

In 2021, rain delayed the start of the one-day tournament. This year, though, the players and those in attendance for support were bathed in sunshine Thursday at Brookside Park’s tennis courts.

Ashland High tennis coach Taylor Long coordinates the junior program, which includes more than 40 athletes, ranging in age from fourth through eighth grades.

“We have 43 kids in the program this year, and that is great,” said Long. “That is a little bigger than normal. Junior level is our biggest class because it has the most age groups. Having fourth through eighth grade gives us a nice number. We have fourth and fifth graders in one division and then sixth through eighth grade in another division. We like to split it up that way.”

The junior program serves as a feeder program, as many of the athletes who compete in it end up playing on the AHS boys and girls tennis teams.

“We have a fair number of kids who come back year after year,” he said. “And that is great for me because selfishly, this is our youth program and the future of Arrow tennis, especially when I see the sixth or seventh or even eighth graders come back for another year and summer after summer. I am happy to get them in high school and feed right into our program.”

Participants range from those just learning the game and how to keep score, to those who are beginning to seriously work on their individual game.

“For the younger kids, it is just learning how to play the game,” Long said. “Some of them have never played matches before or never been in a tournament before. We teach them the etiquette of tennis and when to switch sides and how to keep score. Then go to basic strategy, like where to stand on the court in different situations.

“But then when you get to the sixth through eighth graders, they have done that before, so for them, it is the competition and learning to give it all you got. Learning to play multiple matches in one day. For them, it is a way to get them ready to compete in a high school season.”

For Melody Rickett, being with her friends throughout the month on the court was fun during her first year of participating. The 13-year-old said she may try out for the high school team.

“I like that I have a lot of friends here,” she said. “The coaches are really nice and really cool to hang out with. I feel like I have gotten better at just playing the game and understanding how to play the game. When I first started, I actually didn’t know anything about the game. This has been fun to do.”

Isabella McArdle has been a part of the program for five years.

“I like seeing the people and my friends, and I have fun doing the matches because I am pretty competitive,” the 13-year-old said. “Everyone in my family is, too. It is just fun to be able to play something, and I just like tennis. I’m actually involved in Brookside golf, too, and I believe I might be starting volleyball this fall.

“I think I’ve gotten better in my swings and strokes, and I’ve been doing extra classes, and we’ve come out here to practice with my family. I think I’ve improved a lot from the beginning of this year.”

The boys and girls participated in six different brackets, with the first to five points crowned the champion.

Tianne Elliott defeated Josie Haynes 5-3 in the girls fourth and fifth singles, while Rickett defeated Gwenyth Miller 5-3 in the girls sixth through eighth singles. Rickett and Miller then defeated Nora White and Bella McArdle 5-3 in doubles.

On the boys side, Kroix Harris won a tight 5-4 victory over Nathaniel Studer to claim the boys fourth and fifth singles championship. In boys doubles, Garrett Davis and Nathan Watson dropped Colin Kaufman and Grant White 5-1.

Eli Glazier and Grant White are slated to face each other in the sixth through eighth singles championship, which will be decided at a later date.

Now in his third year of competing in the program, Hunter Smith enjoys learning the game.

“I really like just learning new things about tennis and just keep trying to improve,” the 13-year-old said. “I think my backhands have really improved, and I still need to improve my forehand. I do think my serves have gotten better overall, and I am now able to serve stronger.”

Smith had some solid advice for any area student interested in the game.

“Even if you think you are not necessarily good, you should come try it out and see if you like it or not, he said. “I think you will see it is pretty fun and you will get better.”

Keeping track of 43 players itching to get on the court takes a great team to stay organized.

“I have three different helpers with me today, and they are great,” said Long. “I have Caedon Blough, who was one of our senior captains on the boys team and just graduated. Cooper Glazier is a junior this year, and he, too, has been here all summer helping me, and Morgan Kaufman from the girls team. Those are the three that have been here helping me out. I wouldn’t know what to do without them.”

This article originally appeared on Ashland Times Gazette: Future Ashland High standouts come from youth tennis program