As our chilly season comes to an end, the spring sports season is welcomed by many Palisade students. Many sports participants have finished tryout season and are beginning to learn their roles on the team. Our girls tennis team, combined with Central High School to create the Wardogs, is gearing up for the season and getting ready for some new competition, teammates, and experience.
Last season, the lady Wardogs held an overall record of 5-6, with 46 total Varsity wins. The team qualified a total of three girls for the 4A CHSAA State Champions, including senior Haley Ammons and junior Kirra Trousdale from Palisade High School that are returning to compete this season.
This season, the Wardogs will be competing in their first match against the Delta High School Panthers on Tuesday, March 31st. This will allow Varsity members to return to the flow of the season, and show freshmen and new players what matches look like.
Trousdale, a passionate varsity member, has been playing tennis for three years. Although tryout season may be stressful for athletes, Trousdale shares how her team builds each other up during tryouts. She comments, “The team dynamic during tryouts this week has been amazing. Everyone is so supportive, and you can always find someone cheering you on whether that’s a fellow teammate or even our amazing coaches. Even though we are all competing against each other for our spot on the team, everyone is so kind, and makes tryouts actually fun.”
One thing that is truly special about the conjoined tennis program is that they provide challenges for the varsity members, but invite new girls of all grades to play for fun. Brynn Wallace, a junior at Palisade, expressed her excitement about joining the tennis team this year. Wallace shares, “One of my friends offered to join with me, and I think that it’s going to be a good thing for my mental health… I’m so excited.”
“A team goal I have this year is to be a stronger team, and support all of my teammates, even if it’s outside of tennis matches or practice. I think creating a strong bond with all of my teammates is very important, and can lead us to be more successful,” shares Trousdale. The team bond that is established throughout Palisade’s spring sports reaches beyond athletics, but creates family dynamics. Be sure to support our tennis Bulldogs this season, and as always, Go Dogs!
