Greenwood High netters wrap up their 2024 campaign

Greenwood High netters wrap up their 2024 campaign

Earlier this month the Bulldogs and Lady Bulldogs tennis squads completed their fall schedule, including participating in their postseason conference and state tournaments. Four GHS netters qualified for the Class 5A state tournament. Both teams are led by Head Coach Dexter Pearcy and volunteer assistant coach Randy Magness.

Conference Tournament

The 5A West conference tournament was held in Russellville on October 7-8 at Russellville High School and Arkansas Tech University. One of the two GHS boys doubles teams won their first two matches to qualify for the state tournament while two Lady Bulldogs won their first two conference tournament singles matches to also qualify for state competition.

In boys singles action, Greenwood’s Caleb Schaefer won his first round contest, 6-4, 6-0, before losing his second round match, 0-6, 0-6. Wesley Jarrell lost his opening round match, 0-6, 0-6. In boys doubles competition, the Greenwood duo of Lucas Hefflin and Alex Schaefer won their opening match 6-0, 6-2, then won their second round match, 6-0, 6-0, qualifying for the state tournament. They then lost a close semifinals match, 6-7, 4-6. Greenwood’s other doubles team of Thomas Veatch and Hayes Whitson lost their first-round match by identical scores of 2-6, 2-6.

In girls play, both GHS singles players won their first two matches to advance to the state tournament. Harper Berg easily won her opening match, 6-0, 6-0, before also winning her second match by the same scores, 6-0, 6-0. Berg then lost her semifinals match, 1-6, 1-6. Emma Koenigseder, Greenwood’s #2 singles player, won her opening round match, 6-4, 6-2, and took her second-round match, 6-3, 6-1. Like Berg, Koenigseder also dropped her semifinals match, 2-6, 0-6.

In girls doubles action, Lady Bulldogs Kylah Pearcy and Mackenzie Magness won their first-round outing in easy fashion, 6-0, 6-0. But they lost their second-round match, 6-7, 4-6, just missing their chance to advance to state. Greenwood’s #2 doubles duo of Taelyn Martin and Klaire Holland dropped their first-round conference tournament match, 2-6, 0-6.

State Tournament

The 5A state tournament was held October 14-15 in Searcy, and unfortunately for Greenwood’s four participants, it was not a pleasant experience based on results. In boys doubles play, the GHS pair of Lucas Hefflin and Alex Schaefer lost their first round match in lopsided fashion, 0-6, 1-6. In girls singles, Harper Berg lost, 2-6, 3-6, while teammate Emma Koenigseder lost her first round match, 0-6, 1-6.

Looking Ahead

As for the 2025 season, Greenwood will lose seven senior netters to graduation next spring, two boys and five girls. The doubles duo of Hefflin and Schaefer have played their last match for the Bulldogs while seniors Harper Berg, Emma Koenigseder, Mackenzie Magness, Mingyue Vass, and Lauralei O’Connor will be leaving the girls’ roster. But the Lady Bulldogs have eight players returning next season while the GHS boys also have eight returnees before the addition of any new players.

Most notably on the girls’ side, Kylah Pearcy returns for her senior season after trading her volleyball tights for tennis shorts this season and performing very well in doubles competition, remaining unbeaten for much of the regular season along with partner Mackenzie Magness. Pearcy had never played tennis before this season, so there is still much room for improvement in her senior season. Next, she will display her considerable mastery on the basketball court as one of Greenwood’s best returning muti-sport athletes. The Lady Bulldogs will also return #2 doubles teammates Taelyn Martin and Klaire Holland.

The GHS boys return #2 singles player Wesley Jarrell and #2 doubles teammates Thomas Veatch and Hayes Whitson and some other younger players who gained playing experience this season in junior varsity action. Next year’s GHS tennis roster will have a small number of seniors, and any GHS student wishing to play tennis should contact Head Coach Dexter Pearcy, who now turns his attention to coaching varsity boys basketball assisting Head Coach B.J. Ross.

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