PCA’s Tennis Team is Growing in Interest and Wins on the Court
PCA’s three tennis teams are off to a fantastic start this year! On the 7th of February, PCA’s JV girls’ tennis team swept their first match against Alabama Christian Academy, with the Doubles teams winning 4-0 and the Single players winning 6-0. The Varsity Girls and Boys teams also had their first meet just a week later when they competed against Prattville High School. The Varsity Girls won 8-1, and while the Varsity Boys fought hard, they lost 0-6.
However, with this being the first year PCA has had both a JV girls’ and Varsity Boys tennis team, there is a lot of promise for the future. Coach Cantrell and Coach Brad Lee decided to build the program after noticing the immense popularity for the sport in try-outs, with 21 girls and four boys coming out. According to Coach Cantrell, the head coach of the team for the past four years, “This is the most interest we’ve had in tennis for sure! I am really excited about the JV girls tennis team. I think it is really going to help to continue to develop the girls tennis program.”
The players are certainly excited for this season. Sophomore Gracie Fuller, a Varsity player of three years, said, “I think this season is going to be very good to grow so that next year we can possibly go to state!” She continues to remark on the close relationships she holds with her teammates, saying that everyone is “sweet and supportive.”
Her teammate, senior Caroline Schumpert, agrees. In explaining her love for the sport, she stated, “I believe we will have a strong varsity team this year! I have spent a lot of time playing with my teammates, and I am proud of how much we’ve improved and how far we have come. I am excited for another great season with the best team I could ask for.”
Senior Jace Johnson, a player on the Varsity Boys’ team, similarly mentioned, “I love playing and being able to hang out and get competitive with my friends. I am feeling very hopeful about this season and the future of our team, and I am extremely excited as we start our season.” Despite the varying ages of the players, the team has “a lot of fight, passion, and drive for [their] team and sport.”
Schumpert spoke for all of her fellow seniors when she said, “I am both excited and bittersweet about this season! With it being my senior season, I am enjoying every moment before it comes to an end.” Certainly, this year is special, and PCA is proud to have such amazing players and two new teams for the students to display their talents.
Please come out and show your support to these teams as they continue to compete throughout the spring semester. Go Panthers!
By: Audrey Maddox ’25
Journalism Student
