The Press-Dispatch
Issue link: https://www.ifoldsflip.com/i/1097179
D-8 Spring Sports Preview Wednesday, March 27, 2019 The Press-Dispatch By Alden Heuring Press-Dispatch Sports sports@pressdispatch.net The Lady Chargers are bring- ing an experienced roster and a busy offseason of training and conditioning into this spring sea- son of tennis, and coach Brent Beck said he's ready to watch them take home some wins as a reward for all their hard work. "Last year I was just cautious- ly optimistic, but this year, I'm optimistic," he said. "We've got good classes of juniors and se- niors both, and I'd like to think we can go out, compete, and win some matches too." With a tightly-packed, six- week season featuring three or more matches a week, the La- dy Chargers will get plenty of chances to show what they've practiced all year. "We scrimmage Rivet next week and that following week we get tested right away with a conference match-up at Te- cumseh and then Vincennes, who has a very solid and athlet- ic team, then we go to Princeton Thursday which will be a plea- sure, then Logootee Saturday. The whole season is going to be three or four matches a week for six weeks. The preseason prac- tice and conditioning is a lot lon- ger than the season." The Lady Chargers are field- ing four seniors and four juniors this year. Beck said all the upper- classmen have earned a shot at varsity, either by experience in previous years or improvement in the offseason. "For one and two singles we're looking at Audrey Keepes (a ju- nior) and Natalie Bohnert (a se- nior); they've been playing the best in practice right now, and they've earned those spots in my opinion. At three singles would be Meredith Benson (a senior)," Beck said. "First dou- bles for sure will be Kirsten Jan- sen (she played first doubles last year) and Shelby Vaughn (a junior)… Shelby's someone we could put at singles if need be, too." Beck said the second doubles spot is contested by four girls: senior Grace Smith; juniors Adair Kabrick and Chloe Roy; and sophomore Kenley Beck. "With the fact we've got a lot of kids with two to three years of varsity experience, we can see some success this year," Beck said. "They've worked at it hard in the summertime and spring- time and definitely shown they wanted to get better, staying af- ter practices and even taking lessons in Evansville. It's been a pleasure to coach them." COACH BECK OPTIMISTIC ABOUT THIS TIGHTLY-PACKED TENNIS SEASON Pike Central's 2019 girls' tennis team members are, front row (l to r): Makayla Stanley, Zoey Davis, Morgan Ice, Kenley Beck, Meredith Benson and Chloe Roy; back row: Assistant Coach Jill Keepes, Adair Kabrick, Natalie Bohnert, Kirsten Jansen, Grace Smith, Audrey Keepes, Shelby Vaughn and Coach Brent Beck. 2019 GIRLS' TENNIS With the fact we've got a lot of kids with two to three years of varsity experience, we can see some success this year. They've worked at it hard in the summertime and springtime and definite- ly shown they wanted to get better, staying after practices and even taking lessons in Evansville. It's been a pleasure to coach them." -Head Coach Brent Beck 812-354-9670 DOUBLE J COLLISION CENTER 350 W. MAIN, PETERSBURG Hwy. 57, south of town Have your car repaired and serviced at Double J. PLAY IT SAFE HOURS: MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY: 8 A.M. - 5 P.M. Lana R. Hel ms, DDS , MSD, PC Making and sharing SMILES! Be a Winner! Stay in school, study hard and prepare for a great future. Board-Certified in Orthodontics for children, adolescents and adults Appointments Monday-Thursday 812-254-4500 2116 State Street, Washington www.lanahelms.com Go Chargers! 245 S. Glezen Center St. • Petersburg, IN 812-354-9909 Glezen Revival Center Wyatt Seed Company, Inc. WHOLESALE DEALERS IN P.O. Box 218, Hwy. 57 South Petersburg, In 47567 812-354-8542 or 1-800-581-5826 • Dealers in Sports Trail Dog Food • Purina Feeds • Bird Feed and Feeders • Full Line of Lawn Grasses and Field Seeds • Variety of Bagged Fertilizers Have a great season!