The Lady Pioneer tennis season is flying by and regionals are coming up next. After some big wins at the COAC conference tournament, the girls tennis team is showing that they are one of the best teams in the state.

In the varsity lineup were Junior Julia Blake and Senior Kathy Liu, earning them 2nd Team All-Conference honors at #2 doubles.

“My mental game and teamwork with Kathy has really improved since that first tournament,” Blake said, showing her season’s progression. When in big pressure situations, she said her strategies are “staying calm and doing the things you know how to do.”

That idea is exactly what the team needs to hold on to going into the end of the season. While the #1 doubles pair, Kori Gallegos and Ella Vaughan, continue to keep being successful, the entire team is focused on one thing and that is the road to state.

Head Coach Chance Sistrunk is optimistic about the challenges ahead. He said the season hasn’t been without its problems, referring to injuries of the athletes.

“Health is the top priority,” Sistrunk said. “We’ve had lots of injuries, and keeping people healthy going into the end of the season is key.”

With the lineup shifting a lot to counteract those injuries, Sistrunk is looking at a mix of tournament data and regional matchups to lock in the final roster. He said he hopes to bring a Regional championship and spots on the podium at the State tournament.

This team is finding its rhythm at a great time. With many top-5 finishes in the books and All-Conference secured, the girls are no longer just participants, they are contenders for state.