Despite a tough opening stretch to the spring season, the West Plains Zizzers tennis team is finding success through individual varsity victories and strong showings from its junior varsity squad.
"We are having a tough start to this varsity season,” Head Coach Nathan Huddleston said, noting several players have delivered strong individual performances despite the overall team losses.
The Zizzers absorbed a pair of varsity losses March 31 in Branson. That followed a tough opening stretch where the team fell to the Salem Tigers on March 26, the Waynesville Tigers and Camdenton Lakers on March 25, the Rolla Bulldogs on March 24 and the Poplar Bluff Mules on March 23.
Despite the defeats, senior Reilly Jolliff and sophomore Brady Anselm each picked up varsity singles victories, providing bright spots for the squad.
A quick turnaround after the Branson matches gave the team a chance to reset, and the junior varsity squad capitalized the following day. Huddleston said the junior varsity tournament at Reeds Spring on April 1 offered a clearer picture of the program’s development, particularly among its younger players.
“Wednesday we went to Reeds Spring for a JV tournament and had some success,” Huddleston said. “Freshman Roman Waddell went 2-1 on the day in the No. 2 singles flight, taking home a second-place medal. Senior Logan Ray went 2-2 on the day in the No. 3 singles flight, also taking home a second-place medal.”
Sophomore Kai Zheng also had a strong showing, going 2-2 to take third place in the No. 1 singles flight.
The doubles side presented tougher competition but still provided valuable experience.
“Sophomores Carter Smith and Van Cochran went 0-2 in a tough No. 1 doubles flight,” Huddleston said. “And sophomores Travis Mahurin and Adrian Chowning went 1-2 in the No. 2 doubles flight.”
Overall, Huddleston said the results reflect a trend he has been seeing throughout the season.
“Our younger players are snagging several wins this season, and it showed in this tournament,” he said. “Another positive is the number of underclassmen we have learning and improving for the future of Zizzer tennis.”
