The Press-Dispatch

We are trying to get back to compete for a conference title and a sectional, but we are in a little of a rebuilding mode this year." Coach Brent Beck Tennis rebuilds, hopes to pick up from 2019 The Pike Central 2021 girls' tennis team members are, front row (l to r): Jaime Sallee, Kenley Beck and Zoey Davis; back row: Coach Brent Beck, Shelby Keeker, Alaina Johnson, Reagan Craig, Ella McGuire, Ella Adams, Gabby Collins and Jill Keepes. Not pictured is Bob Collins. By Andy Heuring Pike Central's girls' tennis team is like most teams in the area. They are rebuilding after not having a season last year. Consequently, girls who would have played as sophomores are now seniors. "We haven't had an official prac- tice for 22 months," said Charger head coach Brent Beck. The last season Pike Central played was one of the most success- ful ever. They had only one loss in the Pocket Athletic Conference. They lost in the finals of the PAC to Gibson Southern, which had won nine consecutive conference cham- pionships. The 2019 squad then won their first round match in the sec- tional before losing 3-2 to Jasper. Two years later, they are back in competition for the first time after a one-year, pandemic-induced lay- off and no player on their roster has played a varsity match. Beck said they had some limited workouts last summer. "We are very inexperienced in terms of varsity experience. Two played junior varsity. The oth- er seven girls, the last time they played was in middle school," said Beck. Seniors Kenley Beck and Zoey Davis both played ju- nior varsity as sophomores for the Chargers. Coach Beck said Davis is left handed. "I have been play- ing her left handed. (There is) a solid chance she will play in dou- bles for us." Beck has been playing both sin- gles and doubles in practice. She played in doubles as a sophomore, but Beck said she will probably play singles this year. The Chargers don't have any ju- niors on the squad. "Our sophomores have a little depth," said Beck. "Ella McGuire is a solid player. She understands the game and played the game with her mother for years. She probably understands the game as well as anyone. She can play sin- gles or doubles, but will just be play- ing singles this spring," said Coach Beck. Sophomore Shelby Keeker has al- so been playing singles. "It is kind of a toss up where she will play," said Coach Beck. "She does a nice job and is a good kid." Reagan Craig just became avail- able to the team. "She just started to hit with us in the last week. She has a pretty good knack for the game and is a good learner." The sixth player is freshman El- la Adams. Last time she played, she was a seventh grader. "She is com- ing along, just learning the game. I would consider her in our top six players," said Coach Beck. He said he had numerous fresh- men players on the team. "A lot of our younger players are multiple sport girls. That is good. We nor- mally don't get a lot of girls who play other sports. "The seventh spot is kind of a toss up," said Coach Beck. He mentioned several girls vying for that spot. "Alaina Johnson ran track last year. We are glad to have her back. She did a nice job in middle school. Gab- by Collins is left handed and played volleyball. Jamie Sallee played vol- leyball and basketball. She is very scrappy. Both played middle school tennis." Beck said, so far, in the first few days of practice, he had been work- ing on basic skills, not playing a lot of matches yet. "We are trying to get back to com- pete for a conference title and a sec- tional, but we are in a little of a re- building mode this year." Helping that is most teams are in the same boat after losing last year to COVID. Zoey Davis Kenley Beck D-2 PCHS Spring Sports Preview Wednesday, March 24, 2021 The Press-Dispatch 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-Certifi ed in Orthodontics for children, adolescents and adults Appointments Monday-Friday 812-254-4500 2116 State St., Washington • 2848 Ford Rd., Vincennes www.lanahelms.com 350 W. Main, Petersburg • Next to Double J Collision Call for Carry-Out or Faster Service! ( 812 ) 354-2606 Open: Wednesday-Thursday 4-7 PM • Friday & Saturday 4-8 PM A FAN FAVORITE Joe Mama's Pizza Dine In or Carry Out! Pizza • Sandwiches • Salads • Carry-Out 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!

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