First year head coach Angela Niccum inherits a Fort Mill girl's tennis team that is young and largely unproven. Despite that, Niccum feels that this year could still be a success.

Niccum may be new to coaching at Fort Mill, but she has waited a long time for the opportunity to take over as the tennis coach for the Yellow Jackets. Niccum and her sister both played tennis for Fort Mill and their mom was once the head coach of the program.

The Yellow Jackets consist of 17 players ranging from seventh graders to seniors. Players who do not start for the varsity are eligible to play JV, and the teams will play together whenever opponents have enough members to field both matches.

"This team is really young, so I am expecting some really good seasons ahead of us," Niccum said. "Both this year and for the next couple of years we should be really strong."

Although Fort Mill has lost a few talented seniors, Niccum is confident that her young team can mature into a contender for the league championship this year.

The Yellow Jackets still have four seniors to provide leadership, but they will count on a duo of underclassmen to carry them through this season and beyond.

Eighth grader Julianna Araque is currently ranked number one on the team although individual challenges will be going on for the next two weeks and most rankings are yet to be determined. Her sister, Manuela, a seventh grader, has also been impressive in early season workouts. Both will be counted on this year and seasons to come.

Niccum said her goal is to be in the top two in the region and to make it to the state tournament.

Fort Mill will receive challenges from Northwestern, which typically fields good teams and stiff competition, and the other members of its conference. However, the Yellow Jackets themselves figure to have a say in how the conference standings end up.

The team will play a few exhibitions before kicking off the season at home against Lancaster Tuesday, Sept. 9.