GIRLS TENNIS

A16
Windsor Now!
Friday, March 6, 2009
GIRLS TENNIS
New coach hopes to build program
Team information
By Steve Puterski
[email protected]
The revolving door of tennis
coaches for the Windsor High
School girls tennis team has
appeared to come to a halt with
Andrea Gregory. Gregory took
over for the departed Gary
Wilson last year and started in
the fall with the boys team.
The girls, though, came out to
hit with the boys, establish a
relationship with Gregory and
look to improve on the best season in school history. Gregory’s
next step is to elevate the girls’
game in hopes of qualifying for
the state tournament.
“We’re just looking at working
on skills and having a lot of fun
and playing as much tennis as
we can,” Gregory said. “No matter what happens during the
matches in the regular season,
we’re definitely looking toward
state.”
Leading the charge for the
Wizards will be senior Shelby
Carpenter at No. 1 singles. Last
season, Carpenter grabbed the
No. 3 seed in the regional tournament, went 3-1 in the tourney, but placed fourth, two spots
away from a state berth.
However, Carpenter has
worked on her game throughout
the summer and during the
Photo courtesy of Karen Johnson
Junior Rachel Plantz, pictured, will anchor the No. 1 doubles tandem with senior Kayla Kimberling this
season.
boys season in an effort to take
the next step. Carpenter
improved her backhand, volleys
and stamina and is ready for the
season to come full swing.
“We’re very conditioned and
ready to go,” said Carpenter, the
2008 Windsor Now Girls
Tennis Player of the Year.
Also in the mix will be senior
Hannah Kernen at No. 2 singles
followed by senior Kate Johnson
in the No. 3 slot. Johnson
teamed with sophomore Kelsey
Carpenter at No. 2 doubles last
year before making the jump to
singles.
Rachel Plantz will stay at No.
1 doubles and has paired up
with senior Kayla Kimberling in
hopes of a strong run this season. At No. 2 doubles will be
Kelsey and Japanese foreign
exchange student Miki Arakiaki.
Arakiaki, who will head back
to Japan at the end of the school
year, swam for the Wizards in
the winter. Kelsey spent most of
last year between No. 2 and No.
3 singles, but dropped down
and the duo hopes to make a
strong play come the regional
tournament.
COACH: Andrea Gregory
(1st year); Assistant: Paul
Katers (3rd)
2008 BEST FINISH:
Shelby Carpenter, fourth at
regionals
Roster: Shelby Carpenter,
sr.; Kelsey Carpenter, soph.;
Kate Johnson, sr.; Rachel
Plantz, jr.; Miki Arakiaki, jr.;
Kayla Kimberling, sr.; Melanie
Minear, sr.; Natyce Parent;
Chelsea Garno; Kaylyn
Brough, Hannah Kernen, sr.
KEY RETURNERS: Shelby
Carpenter, Kelsey Carpenter,
Kate Johnson, Rachel Plantz
2009 OUTLOOK: Last
year’s squad had the best
season in school history.
Look for the Wizards to build
on that success this season.
The Wizards will look to the
regional tournament in
hopes of sending at least
one individual or doubles
team to state.
Windsor started the season on
Feb. 26 with a 5-2 win over
Silver Creek. Shelby needed
three sets to get her first win of
the season, while Plantz and
Kimberling won in straight sets
despite feeling a little ill.
“Our first game started out
rough, we were both a little sick,
but other than that it’s been
good,” Plantz said.
Schedule
Feb. 26
Tuesday
Thursday
March 23
won 5-2 at Silver Creek
vs. Northridge 3:30 p.m.
at Sterling 3:30 p.m.
at Erie 3:30 p.m.
March 31
April 2
April 4
April 9
at Mountain View 3:30 p.m.
vs. Berthoud 3:30 p.m.
at University 10 a.m.
vs. Weld Central 3:30 p.m.
April 15
April 17
April 18
vs. Eaton 3:30 p.m.
at Greeley Central
Tournament TBA
at GC Tournament TBA
April 22
April 23
vs. Fort Lupton 3:30 p.m.
vs. Fort Morgan 3:30 p.m.
Home matches in bold
Proud Sponsor
of the
Windsor Highschool Girls Tennis Team
WINDSOR
1245 Main St., Windsor, CO
970.686.1470