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Tigers' tennis team faces struggle during action against Cutthroats
Fielding a team of mostly new players, Mountain Home's tennis team battled tough but found the competition even tougher as they hosted The Community School Cutthroats from Sun Valley on Saturday.
Community School Boys 5,
Mountain Home Boys 0
Community School Girls 7,
Mountain Home Girls 0
During boys' singles action, Tigers' Miguel Pelletier lost, 1-6, 0-6, with the second and third boys positions not played due to shortage of boys on both teams. In boys' doubles, Jean Gilliland and Abram Martin lost, 4-6, 1-6, while Abrahan Salas and David Parrett went down, 1-6, 2-6.
In girls' singles play that afternoon, Rebecca Martin, lost 3-6, 0-6, while Cass McLean went down, 4-6, 0-6, and Caitlyn Whitfield fell, 3-6, 1-6. In girls' doubles, Mady McCurdy and Nisa Phelps lost, 1-6, 2-6, while Cassie Dearing and Anyssa Gara lost a 1-6, 1-6 match.
During mix doubles, Alex Buchholz and Simone Aguero lost, 1-6, 0-6, as did the team of Brandon Hultenius and Krystalynn Raab, who dropped a 0-6, 2-6 match.
A large number of this year's Tiger tennis players are brand new to tennis, said Coach Tamzy House, who started her 11th year as the team's head coach.
"The scores don't show the great plays and the toughness the kids showed in the matches," House said. "The Cutthroats had to fight for their wins -- nothing was given to them."
House added that she was equally pleased with the progress her Tigers have made in a month's time.
The Tiger Tennis team hit the courts this year with 22 players, which was a smaller number than usual after the team lost 17 seniors last season. Of the 22 players, five are returning letter winners and four previously played junior varsity.
Due to low participation numbers, Mountain Home fielded just a varsity team this year.
"Tiger tennis is a 'no-cut' program," House said. "All skill levels are welcome. They play either varsity or JV, they learn the fundamentals of tennis and experience the fun of match play and team participation.
"Hopefully, when they leave high school, they will have gotten the 'tennis bug,' and they will want to play the sport for the rest of their lives," House added.
Senior and four-year player Nathan Gibbons serves as the Tigers' boys' team captain while three-year player Mady McCurdy is the girls' team captain.
Both varsity teams have strength and experience in singles, House said. However, the doubles positions were hit pretty hard with graduation.
"Early-season matches will serve as the 'test waters' for new doubles partner combinations," House said. "We have a great group of kids who have found a passion for the sport--should be a fun and exciting year for Tiger tennis.
The Tigers face a busy schedule starting Thursday as they host the Caldwell Cougars at the tennis courts at Richard Aguirre Park. They travel to Middleton for a tournament Friday and Saturday with a follow-up match scheduled for Tuesday at Middleton.