After dusting off her racket and digging her tennis shoes out of the closet, Montezuma-Cortez High School senior Andria Battle arrived at the Jim Harkendorff Tennis Courts ready to begin her final prep season.
What one of the Lady Panthers’ most experienced players found were four courts dotted with new faces, including that of Athletic Director Christopher Kelly, who took over as head coach just before the start of the season.
Kelly, who played tennis recreationally while he was in high school and after he graduated from college, said that his ascension to the team’s top spot became necessary after nobody in the community expressed interest in the job.
“We had a lot of interest (in a team) from the girls, so we put an advertisement up on the school website, and we didn’t have any takers,” Kelly said. “I wanted the girls to be able to have a season, so I figured I’d step in and coach as best as I can.”
To help overcome his inexperience, Kelly has divided his team into two practice groups, which he refers to as “the pros” and “the rookies.” He then mixes experienced players with newcomers in hopes that everyone can work together and improve.
“I’ve been having a lot of the freshmen work in on basic drills with my seniors,” Kelly said. “That way, I can delegate some of the minute coaching responsibilities to (upperclassmen).”
“(Kelly) doesn’t know much about tennis,” senior Angel Veach said. “I think we know more than he does. We’ve been helping the freshmen learn how to serve and hit forehands and backhands. We’re teaching them the basics.”
Among the upperclassmen that Kelly expects to lead this year’s team is Battle, who played No. 4 doubles as a sophomore, No. 2 doubles last season, and expects to compete for the top singles spot this year.
“You have to cover a lot more area because you don’t have a partner covering half the court for you,” said Battle, when asked about the challenges associated with playing singles. “You have to be really good at knowing where to be.”
Other players likely to compete for singles spots include seniors Kayla Carver, Ronee Dennison and Alyssa Utley.
Kelly said that Veach could also be in the mix for a singles spot, but the four-year veteran, who played No. 3 doubles last year, indicated that she would prefer to play with a partner.
“I want to play doubles again because I like working with another player,” Veach said. “You have a teammate to help you, and it’s easier to call lines that way.”
M-CHS will open its season with home matchups against Gallup and Delta on March 11. The Lady Panthers will then square off against rival Durango High School at home on March 14.
Asked about his goals for this season, Kelly said that he hopes that his players will improve and enjoy a positive experience.
“My first goal for the season is to have a season,” Kelly said. “My second goal is to have these girls have fun and get some experience. I want them to have some time to work with each other and learn from each other. For me, it’s all about having fun and trying new things.”