The high school tennis squad underwent a few changes this year, including welcoming new head coach David Phillips to the flock, as well as moving practices and competitions to the courts at CopperWynd.

The local athletes took well to the shifts, though, putting together a solid string of matches that saw several athletes and the girls team continue on into the state tournaments.

As a team, the girls made it all the way to the semifinals of post-season play with David Rothweil battling through the competition to take second in singles for the boys.

According to coach Phillips, there was a lot to be proud of this season.

“As the school year wraps up and we head into the summer, what a great year it has been for both Falcons tennis teams,” he said. “I find myself already becoming nostalgic as I reflect on it.”

After all was said and done, the local ladies finished the regular season second in their section with an impressive 6-1 record. The boys enjoyed similar success, going 6-2 in section to take second as well.

Phillips said several players deserve special recognition for their stellar seasons, but perhaps none more so than sophomore Rothweil. He went unbeaten in regular season play and only suffered a defeat to the state champion.

“On the girls side, special mentions are multiple,” Phillips continued. “Jena Serrano and Meagan Coveney only lost one doubles match throughout the entire season and, by the end of the season, looked like they had been playing together for years.

“Team captain, Taylor James, led by example and was the rock the team was built around, as she went both regular and postseason undefeated, making her by far the best number four player in the league.”

Despite all of that success, Phillips said that the greatest achievement for both teams was having 25 players turn out with incredible team spirit that was fostered from the number one player down to JV members who had never played before.

“Every training session and match was attended by, on average, 90 percent of the squad, showing a willingness and desire to learn that will stand the team in good stead in future years,” Phillips continued. “My personal highlight this season was the realization from the girls side after our away win at Thatcher, where we were seen as the underdogs and came across a complacent side that we swept aside, 6-3.”

It was at that point, according to Phillips, that he and coach Elliot realized the team could compete with the best teams out there and beat them.

Phillips said he was impressed by leadership qualities in his athletes across the board, but gave special recognition to captains Taylor James and Kolton Coultrap.

“Both showed exceptional leadership through their organization of themselves and others, attitude both on and off the court and their leading by example at all times” Phillips continued.

Looking back, he said that the team ethos was one where, it didn’t matter the number an athlete played or the level of their experience, everyone turned up with a positive attitude in training and matches. If they keep that up, Phillips said the Falcons could be dangerous in 2017.

“All the players need to ensure that they keep playing throughout the off season so, when they come back next year, we can spend more time refining their game and match tactics,” he said. “If we can hit the ground running and gain the belief that we are contenders for state champions early in the season, both sides will be a force to be reckoned with.”

On the boys side, that progress will be helped out by the fact that the team will lose no seniors to graduation this year. The girls, however, will be losing some strong competitors in Jena Serrano, Taylor James, Dagny Paulsen, Julia Burgess and Tatum James.

“These girls have proved to be the cornerstone of our team this year and will be sorely missed both on and off the court,” Phillips said. “The energy, professionalism and team spirit they brought will be hard to replace. However, I am confident many of our up and coming juniors and sophomores will take on the mantle and continue to drive the team forward in 2017.”