By: James Weber, jweber@communitypress.com
For Kenton County tennis teams, there are now two regional tournaments, one for individuals and one for teams – a format that mirrors the state events.
"We have a different regional format this year, and I think it's going to be good for all the teams," said Highlands coach Kris Laskey. "It's going to be really exciting because I think Highlands and Campbell County are the favorites in the region in both boys and girls."
For the first time, there will be 16 regional team tournaments qualifying their champions automatically to the state championships in Lexington. The regional team format features three singles players and two doubles teams. The individual tournaments remain intact, but no longer determine team champions. The sectional round has been eliminated.
"The new regional tournament adds a seventh player. That's big," Covington Catholic coach Al Hertsenberg said. He guided the Colonels to a runner-up team finish at state. "The previous regional tournament had two singles players and two doubles teams. Now, we have three singles players."
Here is a look at Kenton County area tennis teams. Some did not return requested information:
Beechwood
The boys team was 11-4 last year and conference champions.
Mike Piergalski returns for his fourth season as head coach.
Sophomore John Taylor moves from second doubles last year to first singles. Senior Takashi Yokokura moves from first doubles to second singles.
Senior Spencer Fry moves from second doubles to first doubles. Senior Griffin Richardson returns at first doubles.
Sophomore Alex Williams returns at third singles. Sophomore Bennet Lacy enters the lineup at second doubles.
"We have a very deep squad this year," Piergalski said. "Four of the seven varsity starters are underclassmen. Many of the younger players have worked extremely hard in the offseason. I think Beechwood tennis is on the upswing. All the players have excellent attitudes and are committed to getting better every day."
Covington Catholic
Covington Catholic is enjoying its first season with practices and home matches taking place on campus.
Four-time Ninth Region champion Austin Hussey has graduated, opening the door for a new champ for the first time since 2011. The Colonels play at Yung Family Tennis Complex. The six-court facility made its debut at last year's Ninth Region tournament. CovCath celebrated by sweeping the singles and doubles finals en route to its 14th consecutive regional title.
CovCath's top returnees include senior Blake Heimbrock, junior Anthony Bosch and sophomore Max Cook. Heimbrock and Bosch are defending regional doubles champions. Bosch is the favorite for the No. 1 singles spot ahead of Cook. Brothers Jake and Jared Haught lost in the doubles final but advanced to the state round of 16, best by an area tandem. Cook lost in the regional singles final.
Dixie Heights
The girls team was second in the conference and has a new head coach in Nick Benge.
Besides Warden, Dixie returns senior Kristen Snider and juniors Alaina Moore and Annie Atkinson, who all qualified for state in doubles last year. Senior Hannah Daria played second singles last year and reached the quarterfinals of the regional tourney.
"The returning girls are dedicated tennis players who are well-seasoned as they are year-round players," Benge said. "I look for the Dixie girls to have a very good year and be one of the teams to beat in the region. With experience and past success, comes expectations and expectations are high this year.
"Brooke Warden has already made her college decision, so she will be focused on winning matches. The returning doubles players have been in big matches and performed well and have worked since the season ended at state to improve their overall games."
Holy Cross
Senior Nate Doggett returns after qualifying for state last year in singles.
Notre Dame
NDA's defending Ninth Region singles champion Francie Case defeated Dixie's Brooke Warden in last year's final. Warden won the crown in 2014. Both seniors are expecting to make another run to the final, but St. Henry senior Audrey North, Scott senior Abby Hillman and Pandas junior Kylie Moellering will have a say in who comes out on top.
NDA, 15-0 last regular season, and Dixie are regional favorites, with Scott right behind followed by Ryle, Beechwood, St. Henry and Cooper.
"I believe in my girls, but Dixie's pretty strong," Maynard said. "This is going to be the hardest in 20 years for Notre Dame to get that title."
Scott
Cameron Shi returns after qualifying for state last year in singles.
Simon Kenton
The girls team was 13-7 for Nathan Gilbert, who is in his 11th season as head coach. The Pioneers have had six winning seasons in a row.
The Pioneers return a lot of experience. Avery Horton played first singles last year and Stephanie Saner third singles. Natalie Hahn and Lauryn Reckner play first doubles and Olivia Bowling second doubles. Eighth-grader Cassie Saner started the 2016 season 5-1 at thirsd singles. Reckner has already set the school record for career wins at first doubles this season and Bowling has done the same at second doubles.
"We only graduated one senior last year and still only have one senior starting this year," Gilbert said. "The girls work really hard and it is exciting to watch their progressions and to see their growth as a group. With 20 sophomores and juniors on the team, the next few years should be fun. At a total of 32 girls, this is the biggest team we have had. We have a lot of depth and competition for positions which just makes everyone better."
Villa Madonna
The Blue Lightning have six returning starters in David Gibson, Robert Spicker, Yamaan Ahmad, Evan Gardner, Jon-Michael Schulte and Scott McQueen. David Gibson has signed with Asbury to play college with his brother, Deuce.
"We are a young but seasoned team," said head coach Dan Gibson. "Four of the seven players are in eighth grade, but have been on varsity for three years."