ROGERS -- The battle for the top spot in the Rogers High boys singles tennis rotation could be a season long competition. But in the end, it may not matter because senior Riley McGill and sophomore Michael Zheng may join forces in doubles play in the postseason.
"They are battling it out right now in singles," Mounties coach Mike Harper said.
Rogers High Tennis Schedule
Date^Opponent^Time
Aug. 19^Fayetteville^3:30 p.m.
Aug. 21^Hot Springs Lakeside @Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Aug. 25^Springdale High^3:30 p.m.
Aug. 28^Heritage (G)^3:30 p.m.
Aug 28^at Heritage (B)^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 4^Fayetteville^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 8^at Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 11^at Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 15^at Fayetteville^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 18^Springdale Har-Ber^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 22^Rogers Heritage^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 23^at Fort Smith Southside^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 25^Fort Smith Northside^3:30 p.m.
Sept. 29^Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
Oct. 2^Fort Smith Southside^3:30 p.m.
Oct. 6^Pulaski Academy @Bentonville^3:30 p.m.
In high school tennis, players may play both singles and doubles but once the postseason arrives they are limited to either singles or doubles at the conference and state tournament. While McGill and Zheng are battling for the top singles spot, the pair is coming off an impressive run in doubles at the state tournament last year.
McGill/Zheng advanced to the quarterfinals at the Class 7A Tournament last fall where they lost in a three-set match to a team that eventually advanced to the finals.
"We are still sorting out the doubles right now," Harper said. "Last year, their doubles match was the most impressive match I have seen Rogers kids play. It was a great experience for them, and they played at a very high level. They need to bring that to practice every day, to the matches every time.
"If they play like that, they have a chance to win a state championship."
Harper also said that this is the best depth the Mounties have had in several years. The Mounties seniors include McGill, Ryan Brooks, Austyn Ayson and Austin Wright.
"We have some other seniors that are playing well right now," Harper said.
Sophomore Jack Vaughn could also figure in the rotation.
"Jack is a machine out there," Harper said. "He has worked hard all summer, and has got a lot more consistent."
Lady Mounties
The Rogers girls are in a rebuilding mode but coach Matt Fulton said the Lady Mounties still have some lofty goals.
Rogers has won the last three Class 7A State Tennis Championships but two of the Lady Mounties key components are no longer on the team.
Tiffany Tang has graduated after winning two Class 7A singles titles, two Class 7A doubles championships and four Overall trophies, two singles and two doubles. Katherine Tang, who was part of two Class 7A doubles titles and two Overall doubles trophies has decided not to play tennis and instead concentrate on a course load heavy in advanced placement classes.
"The reality is, I have lost both Tang sisters," Fulton said. "But our goal is to compete for another state championship."
And the cupboard is far from empty.
Haeleigh Long has been a key part of the last three state title teams and the senior provided a key win at the state tournament last year. Sophomore Maddi McKinney also has state tournament experience after being part of a doubles team that won a match last fall.
"Haeleigh is going to be a leader for us, and she is a captain" Fulton said. "Haeleigh is one our best and she will play No. 1 singles. Haeleigh played in a lot of tournaments over the summer and finished in first and second in many of them. Maddi was on our doubles team last year and we need to find a new partner for her so they can make state again."
Fulton is also expecting key contributions from Imogen Ryan, Olivia Montoya, Abby Resler, Mollie Jane Martin and Addy Lewis.
Sports on 08/10/2014