For the first time in school history, the Lady Indians’ tennis team advanced to the state quarterfinals. It was a sensational Spring of 2023, as TFS went 16-1, winning the Region Championship for the first time since 2000 and losing only in the Elite 8.
Records fell in the process, as the #8-ranked Lady Indians saw #2 singles Jaeda-Lee Daniel-Joseph win 16 matches to set a new school record. #1 singles star Ariel Kelsick also broke the previous record and finished with 15 victories.
Nearly every player in the starting lineup returns, led by senior Kelsick and sophomore Daniel-Joseph, as well as sophomores Azaria Junaid (4 singles wins, 9 doubles wins) and Ava Carnes (8 singles wins, 5 doubles wins). Kelsick was the Region Singles Player of the Year, while Junaid was half of the Doubles Team of the Year after winning nine matches together with Katarina Foskey. All of those mentioned, aside from Foskey, return, as do Lizzie Huebner, Landry Carnes, Charlotte Stafford, Keira Webb, and Susie Sun – each of whom notched at least four wins last year.
“The strength of the ladies’ team is the overall depth,” says coach Anthony Cox. “From top to bottom, this is a very strong team. Our singles will be tough to beat, and our doubles teams have some experience and will be solid.”
The 2024 schedule of reigning Region Coach of the Year Cox is much tougher than any previous season by design. While replicating last season’s record may not happen, the team is no doubt more experienced, more advanced in skillset, and now no stranger to big matches.
“The expectations for this team are high, with most of the lineup returning from an Elite 8 finish,” adds Cox. “As with the boys, we’ve added a lot of strong competition to our schedule. Our hope is that this rigor prepares us well for the level of competition we need to beat in the state playoffs.”
“With both the boys and girls teams, once we get all the pieces of the lineup in place, we hope to get comfortable in our roles and play some high-level tennis,” exclaims Cox. “Tennis is a great sport to learn life principles, how to deal with pressure situations and overcome challenges, and how to persevere when things are tough. My goal for this group of young ladies and gentlemen is that they represent themselves, their families, and their school well and that they grow and mature as individuals during the course of the season.”
The girls will open the season at Gainesville on January 25. After three consecutive road matches to start, Tallulah Falls will compete in the home opener on February 6 against Cherokee Bluff.
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Season preview: TFS boys tennis
