By Richard Carrier
Contributing Writer

Coming off of an 8-3 season, the Blessed Sacrament Huguenot Academy girl’s tennis team returns all but two of last season’s squad and has the Virginia Commonwealth Conference title as their primary objective.

Standing in their path is perennial champion Steward School and a developing rivalry with Southampton Academy. “[Southampton] really want to beat us,” said Head Coach Ben Pomeroy, “and they have two of the top players in the district in Lindsey Raulston and Gabby Gatten.” But this is where Coach Pomeroy points out the Lady Knights’ strengths over the competition. “We have great depth and experience. We may not have the best players, but we are strong from top to bottom.”

Senior Olivia Bowles, with a 15-10 record last season, is firmly entrenched at the number one singles position, but from there on down, “it will be a knock down, drag out battle,” Coach Pomeroy said.

Last season’s number two singles, Hannah Jenkins, transferred and number three singles, Morgan Rogers, chose not to play this year. At first glance, it appears that sophomore Tayler Anderson would naturally assume the number two slot. Anderson completed a, by far, team-best 21-2 record, took the number five singles District Tournament Championship and teamed with Jenkins to capture the number two doubles championship in the District Tournament. But Coach Pomeroy cautioned that the step from number five to number two is a big one, particularly with such stiff competition on hand.

That competition comes from senior Alison Lanshe; 13-5 at number four singles last season, sophomore Marie Mullins, 12-3 at number six singles and sophomore Julia Lanshe who went 10-5, also at number six singles. New-comer, senior Lauren Tullos, and freshman Kate Long will also be vying for their share of the action in the six singles and three doubles slots. “It’s truly wide open,” Coach Pomeroy said. Sixth graders Anna Ransone and Madison Thacker round out the squad.

Two of last season’s three losses came off of the rackets of Steward School; dominating wins with scores of 2-7 and 1-7. But the results in the District Tournament shed a completely different light on the Lady Knights season. Steward won the tournament, but by a scant three points, 49-46. BSH’s one singles and two doubles championships were earned off of a 15-6 record in the tournament. Jenkins will be the only champion not returning for Blessed Sacrament.

“I fully expect we will be in the thick of it with Steward,” Coach Pomeroy said. “Our goal is to be number one.”