SSHS tennis teams ready to start season

The Siloam Springs boys tennis team has competed in the upper echelon of Class 6A the last two years, finishing at state runner-up in 2015 and placing fourth overall in 2016.

Head coach Scott Wright expects the Panthers to be among the best teams in Class 6A in 2017 as well, and he believes the Panthers have a singles player who can lead the way.

All-state senior Orest Los returns this season after finishing third in Class 6A last year.

"It's always critical to have a No. 1 in your singles line," Wright said. "It's very difficult to be successful in high school tennis if you don't have a strong No. 1."

Los, who joined the team as a sophomore, has been working hard during the offseason and summer and been playing in a lot of tournaments.

"He's improved tremendously from last year," Wright said. "He's going to have a chance to do a lot of things at the conference and state level."

Wright said Los is stronger and quicker and his "back hand is even better than it was last year. His serve has improved and he has more experience."

Junior Oliver Reid returns after advancing to the Class 6A state tournament last year as part of a doubles team along with exchange student Moritz Hayler.

Reid could be a singles or doubles player. Players can only go one route once postseason starts.

"Oliver Reid being back is a big piece," Wright said. "We're thinking Oliver will be part of our No. 1 doubles team. Our goal is to see how far we can get on each side. Obviously I don't focus on winning championships, but I want us to be the best we can be and putting him in the right spot will help that.

"But those roles can change, so we're going to have to adapt as we go.

Seniors Zayn Snow and Avery Lang could play big roles on the team this year, Wright said. Both could compete in singles or doubles.

"The emergence of Zayn Snow and Avery Lang can be a very helpful part of helping us get back to that higher level," Wright said. "They're ready to play. Their serves are better. They're more consistent."

Senior Joshua Bullington has been a pleasant surprise so far, Wright said, while junior Ethan Andrus and sophomore Blaise Becan and Trey Hardcastle are also competing.

Exchange student Caio Freitas from Brazil is new to the team and could find his way onto a doubles team, Wright said.

On the girls side, the Lady Panthers return some experience from last year. Siloam Springs did not have any girls qualify for the state tournament.

"We're leaving it wide open right now on the girls," Wright said. "They're all battling on both sides. We're going to allow them to compete with each other and other teams and let the chips fall. We're going to have lots of matches so we'll get lots of looks for potential situations that will help us determine how to make our team the most competitive it can be."

Seniors on the team are Caroline Dinger, Averie Headrick and Valerie Lee.

Dinger played on a doubles team last year with Anna Claire Lewis and came close to advancing to the state tournament. Headrick, meanwhile, competed in singles.

Juniors are Brooke Hutto and Kacey Soderquist, who played doubles together, and Lillian Slater.

Amelia Taylor is the team's only sophomore, while freshman are Eve Slater and Natalie Holt.

"They're going to see a lot of strong competition early on," Wright said. "I want to see that progression to give us a chance to be good in the postseason."

The Panthers and Lady Panthers play at Bentonville on Thursday to open the season, and they'll host Farmington on Friday.