Har-Ber Tennis Building For Future
Posted: September 1, 2011 at 6 a.m.
The Springdale Har-Ber tennis teams.
SPRINGDALE — Springdale Har-Ber tennis coach Rick Horne feels Class 7A-West is the best tennis conference in the state.
On top of that, Horne feels his team is home to one of the state’s top boys tennis players in senior Eric Rodgriguez.
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Rodriguez has a solid repertoire of strokes, highlighted by a strong forehand.
“I really think he can qualify for state,” Horne said. “In every match, he’s got to be ready to play. He can’t afford to lose. He’s hitting well and has a good game. He just has to focus.”
The senior qualified for the state tournament as a sophomore but lost in the qualifying round last season when Har-Ber finished fifth in the conference.
Beyond the play of Rodriguez, Horne is excited about the future of the Wildcats program with talented freshmen Tyler Branch, Ryne Fletcher, Anders Horne and Hayden Pennington expected to make
an impact.
Youth is also the strong suit for the Lady Wildcats, who finished in the cellar of the 7A-West last fall.
Sophomores Blair Breazeale and Lindsay Will are the Nos. 1 and 2 singles players for Har-Ber and combine for the school’s top doubles package.
Now in his sixth season at Har-Ber, Horne feels confident on what product the Wildcats will put on the court in years to come.
“I’m looking at the future, and I’ve already started building. I’ve got ninth-graders on the boys side and a bunch of sophomores on the girls side,” He said. “Next year, we’re going to be even stronger.”
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