Lady Wolves Excited About Upcoming Season
The 2024-25 season saw the Co-Lin Women's Tennis team qualify for the Region 23 Tournament Quarterfinals, but the Lady Wolves season ended at that point after a loss to Meridian. Now a new season is quickly upon the team and excitement is building for head coach Tripp Case and his team.
"It's exciting that we have so many freshman that are going to come in and play and make an immediate impact for us," stated Case. "I think the experience they gain especially in the beginning of the season with some tough matches will pay off big for us in the later part of our season."
The Lady Wolves roster features nine players with two returning sophomores and seven incoming freshmen. The two returners are Georgina Labusch (Verl, Germany) and Allie Grace McNeil (Brookhaven) and Case said their experience will be valuable for this season.
"Both of them had great seasons as freshmen last year. Allie Grace won a lot of close matches in tiebreakers or in third sets," added Case. "Both of them are resilient players especially in singles where they will stay out there and play as long as they have to if that's what it takes to get the win in the match."
The seven freshmen include Clara Barton Calcote (Wesson), Domenica Gruezo (Quito, Ecuador), Ruri Takeuchi (Chiba, Japan), Allie Neal (Mathiston), and Ady Locke, Macy McDaniel, and Ella Thompson all of Brookhaven. Case said he's excited about the talent this group brings to his squad.
"I think that this group makes our team stronger as a whole especially in key spots," said Case. "Ruri had a great fall, and I think she has a chance to be one of the best players in our conference. I look forward to seeing how good she can be for us. Domenica is gritty and laser focused on the court and I think that will benefit her in some of the hard matches throughout the season."
"Ady Locke is another player that is very gritty and had a great fall that I think has helped her build her confidence," added Case. "Clara Barton Calcote, Ella Thompson, Allie Neal, and Macy McDaniel all showed some impressive growth throughout the fall too and I'm excited to see how that helps them in this season."
Case also said he's happy with his potential doubles pairings for this season too.
"The good news is that we have a lot of pairings that are working and we like what we see, but the bad news is that we have to make some tough decisions on those pairings soon," stated Case. "Ruri and Georgina both played well together this fall and made it to the semifinals of the ITA Regional Tournament, but Domenica has played well with both of them since she got here after the winter break while Ady Locke has placed herself in at one of the doubles pairings too. The decision will really come down to chemistry in the end and what pairings give us the best chance to win."
Case said success for this team will come down to a few simple things.
"I think it will take a solid group effort because we believe that we have the talent to finish in the top three of the conference and being able to perform when we have to," said Case. "I believe that this group will step up and be ready for the pressure and get us back to the national tournament this season."
The season starts for the Lady Wolves with a home exhibition match against Alcorn State on Friday, January 30, with the first regular season match coming at home against East Central on Friday, February 20.