Published: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 / Updated: Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2009 10:58 AM
ILHS nets Region title after slow start
INDIAN LAND --
The Indian Land High School varsity tennis team's roster resembles a JV team in that it has no seniors and only one junior listed.
But, the Lady Warriors prefer not to dwell on what they don't have.
What they do have is the heart and will to compete against bigger schools and deeper and more experienced teams. Another thing they have that the larger schools they compete against lack is a championship and a bright future.
The Lady Warriors have wrapped up the Region 3-AAA title with a 4-6 record and have a chance to finish the year with a winning record. They are also building a solid foundation for next season and beyond.
Led by state championship qualifier Hannah Shoemaker, the Warriors have defeated teams such as York Comprehensive and have two wins against Rock Hill. Shoemaker has served as the number one ranked singles and doubles player for Indian Land and has been like a second coach for first year Head Coach Doug Young.
“She has been the number one player all year and will be going to state championships. Hannah has played competitive tennis for a number of years,” Young said. “Hannah has helped our young ladies become better and better as the year has progressed.”
Joining Shoemaker, Kim Koenig is the fifth ranked singles player and leads the Warriors with six wins.
“Kim is our surprise player this year,” Young said. “She has the best record with the most wins and she never gives up.”
Haley Hunter teams with Shoemaker to form the number one doubles tandem. Together, they are a tough team to beat and have rarely lost this season.
The individual success has given the Warriors a foundation to build on for the next few seasons, but Young wants to end this year on a high note.
“Our expectations are that we will win all three remaining matches, giving us a winning record for the season,” Young said about two matches starting this week against Cheraw and a rematch against York. “This, combined with our Region championship, will mean that our season will have been quite successful.”
Despite how the rest of this season turns out, the Warriors have a championship under their belts and have gained the experience they need to be a contender down the road.
“The Indian Land tennis program is young still and growing,” Young said.
“We have a very young team with no seniors and only one junior on the team and look forward to being a competitive force in local tennis for the next few years, as our players gain in skill and confidence.”
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