A lot of excitement is surrounding the Highland girls tennis team these days.
Highland, which finished 14-3 in dual matches and seventh overall in the 2023 IHSA state tournament, has four returning starters that will help drive the Bulldogs to even bigger success this fall.
Highland coach Zach Plocher has high expectations for this year’s squad.
“We’re building off a big historic season last year and we return our production, so I think (we could) have a top-five finish at state and I think we’ll be right there in conference and sectionals.
“This is going to be one of the best years in Highland history.”
Top returners include senior all-state performers Ruthie Manor, Josie Wojcikiewicz, and Sophia Fleming along with senior Payton Beard.
In the singles flights, Manor and Wojcikiewicz are expected to handle the No. 1 and No. 2 singles. Fleming is slotted to man the No. 3 singles spot.
At No. 4 singles, competition is open, but Beard is the early favorite to start there. Sophomore Nora Kampwerth has the inside track at No. 5 singles.
The No. 6 doubles slot is also wide open at this point.
“Six is gonna be an open competition,” Plocher said. “We’re gonna see if we can fill that role.”
The doubles pairs will be ed by Fleming and Wojciechowicz at No. 1. Fleming and Wojiehowicz placed in the top 20 in last year’s IHSA Class 1A tournament doubles play.
Kampwerth and Beard will work at No. 2 doubles while the No.3 doubles spot is up for grabs.
In addition to shooting for the Mississippi Valley Conference championship and top-five finish in the state tournament, Plocher has a couple of goals he would like to see his club get this season.
“One of my big goals is to get everyone through to qualify (for state),” Plocher said. “Last year we only had two entries and I don’t see why we couldn’t get all four through. In terms of the regular season, I don’t see why we couldn’t have an undefeated regular season and all.”
Highland opens the season on Aug. 24 with a trip to the Alton Invite Tournament in Alton.
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