FAYETTEVILLE -- The Fayetteville boys tennis program has grown accustomed to competing for 7A-West Conference and Class 7A state championships. Over the course of coach Darin Phelan's tenure, the Bulldogs have built a strong tradition that expects to always be in the mix.
This season, the Fayetteville girls also expect to be near the top as well.
Fayetteville Tennis Schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 28^at Fort Smith Southside^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 4^at Rogers High^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 8^at Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 11^Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 15^Rogers High^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 18^at Rogers Heritage^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 22^Springdale High^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 25^at Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 29^at Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Oct. 2^at Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Oct. 6^at Van Buren^3:30 p.m.
Oct. 9^at Fort Smith Northside^3:30 p.m.
Oct. 14-15^7A-West Conference Tournament^TBD
Oct. 20-21^Class 7A Tournament at Little Rock^TBD
The Lady Bulldogs, mired in a slow program-development mode for many years, appear to finally have the pieces in place to take the next step. At least that's the plan.
"We try to set a goal that's reasonable yet attainable," Phelan said. "Not knowing what all the other teams have lost, we could compete for the conference title if it all works out.
"This is the deepest girls team I've had since I've been here."
Fayetteville finished tied for sixth at last year's Class 7A state girls' tennis tournament, sending one doubles team past the first round. But the Lady Bulldogs return seven players with varsity experience. Senior Daniela Allen and junior Cameron Churchill competed in doubles and were also two of Fayetteville's top singles players during the regular season. Sophomores Alexis Trumbo and Sara Wiebe earned valuable experience last year, and seniors Caroline Tuttle and Maddie Mallery provided quality depth. "We've got some good girls returning," Phelan said. "It's exciting. We had 28 girls try out so the level of tennis has improved."
With the numbers up this season on the girls' side, help from the younger classes shouldn't be a problem. And Phelan is optimistic about the incoming players to the program as well.
"A couple of ninth graders made the team that will be contributing," Phelan said. "That's the thing I've not had, is the numbers, and these are girls who have played a lot of tennis."
While the girls expect to break through this fall on the tennis courts, the Fayetteville boys will count on a young team to keep the ball rolling. Senior Sameer Kamath teamed with graduated Craig Smardo to win the Class 7A state doubles title last year, and Kamath will be counted on to lead the Bulldogs again this season.
"I think Sameer has put himself up there, having won doubles at state, where he's kind of our leading guy," Phelan said. "After that we might look strange. We've got a lot of guys we could put in different positions."
Will McCombs was a quarterfinalist at state last year for the state runner-up Bulldogs and could be one of Fayetteville's top single players. Cannon Kern also returns, and the junior could help in either doubles or singles as the year develops.
Fayetteville also has experience and depth from Hans Corbell, sophomore Trevor Mallioux, junior Cameron Armstrong and senior Jack Stuckey.
"The guys have set a standard for Fayetteville tennis and it's a high one," Phelan said. "They don't want to be the team that loses that. They don't want to fall off that standard and I'm looking forward to how it works out."
Sports on 08/10/2014