Ladies' tennis stacked with 36 players

COMPETITIVE SOUTHEAST CONFERENCE

We play in a very competitive conference and I look forward to seeing our ladies compete this season.  With that said, we have to get better in our communication during doubles matches.”

Chuck Banks, FM Lady Hounds Tennis Head Coach

FORT MADISON – The Fort Madison Lady Hounds tennis team is hoping to find a win this year after going 0-9 on the 2024 campaign.
Head Coach Chuck Banks said the girls have shown improvement and that Nos. 1-5 are returning players from last year who are showing promise as the season approaches.
The size of the squad also speaks to maybe a new culture that’s being created. There are 36 girls out for tennis this season, the final spring season before moving the sport to the fall next year.
Returning starters from 2024 include Lila Shepard, Lily Buckner, Brook Johnson, Mady Emmett, and Marlie Weiler.
“They have shown tremendous growth and improvement from last season,” Banks said.
“I look for big things from them this season.”
He said senior Alyssa Crowther has shown improvement in the preseason and will push some of the others for a varsity seed. 
“Savannah Sissel might just be my hardest worker on the courts this season and is showing a lot of improvements day-to-day.”
Banks also pointed to Bella Volmer and Summer Hunnold as two others who could make some noise this season.
The varsity experience of the top five or six girls is something Banks said the team will need to capitalize on.
He also said the conference will be very competitive again this year and the Hounds could get some points with better communication in doubles play.
“We play in a very competitive conference and I look forward to seeing our ladies compete this season.  With that said, we have to get better in our communication during doubles matches," he said.
Banks is in his second season with the Bloodhounds and fifth overall coaching tennis.
“ This has been a great experience for me and has revitalized my love for the game of tennis."