Whiteland senior Reese Johnson has spent her entire high school tennis career across the net from the opponent’s best player.
Johnson, the Warriors’ No. 1 singles player from the start of her freshman season and a captain since her sophomore campaign, is again expected to lead her team. She finished the 2018 season with an 18-6 record and is 41-24 over her career.
Whiteland starts its season on April 3 at New Palestine.
“It’s definitely been a roller coaster through the years, but I definitely like the fact I get to play against the top players,” Johnson said. “As a freshman it was very nerve-wracking, but definitely a good experience. I think it helped me in the long run.
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“My sophomore season was pretty good, and I definitely gained a lot of mental toughness.”
Johnson started playing tennis at age 5. Having to compete against older players in summer tournaments and, eventually, in high school, helped the once-shy young lady develop her personality on and off the tennis court.
The senior is an excellent student (3.77 grade-point average). She will attend Indiana University-Kokomo where she plans to play for the women’s tennis team while likely majoring in business or education. Johnson chose IU-Kokomo over Anderson and Earlham.
In the meantime, Warriors coach Mike Gillespie looks forward to these final months having Johnson as part of his program.
The coach said senior tennis players sometimes “check out a little bit” with graduation on the near horizon, but he doesn’t fear Johnson will.
“Reese is just so competitive,” Gillespie said. “A lot of kids buckle under pressure, but she’s very smart on the court, too. A very good athlete who is just kind of the total package. This season I want her to make her teammates better and make the program better.”
In truth, she already has.
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Center Grove Trojans
Coach: Debby Burton
Last season: 17-4, won county, sectional, regional and semistate championships; lost to Cathedral in state quarterfinals.
Top returnees: Jillian Garrett and Ellie Strube, seniors; Holyn Aukerman and Abby Hoard, juniors; Ashlee Fisk, sophomore
Key newcomers: Jenna Boha and Meg Strickland, juniors; Sydney Plowman, Sapna Vyas and Sonya Vyas, sophomores
Outlook: Burton brings back five starters, including seniors Strube and Garrett, who filled the second and third singles slots a year ago. Aukerman and Fisk are veteran doubles players, though there is a chance one moves to singles competition. “I’m really excited how my varsity players worked their tails off in the offseason. I’ve been impressed with their desire to work hard,” Burton said. “I’m guessing the top three singles positions will come from people who played last year. Our goal is to figure out what our best lineup is to make it back to the state finals.”
Edinburgh Lancers
Coach: Rachel O’Brien
Last season: Lost to Brown County in first round of sectional
Top returnees: Haley Jones, Haven Link, Sophia Parmer, Destiney Ramey and Katie Roberts, juniors; Annelise Lollar, Kaylee Swallows, Bri Tomlin and Faith Walker, sophomores
Top newcomers: Emily Chappelow, Lili Ervin and Madison McGaha, juniors; Kayla Chandler, sophomore; Peyton Bryant, Bethany Burton, Alyssa Funkhouser and Brooke Link, freshmen.
Outlook: The Lancers are mostly juniors and freshmen, with some of the players returning to competitive tennis after a hiatus. “Many of these players have played in the past seasons, and it is wonderful that they are coming back, along with many new players,” O’Brien said. “The freshman class is bringing a lot of energy to the team as well as dedication and hard work. Many of the seasoned players have shown the ropes to the younger players, and it is great to see that type of leadership and mentorship out on the courts. We are very excited to see what this season has in store for us.”
Franklin Grizzly Cubs
Coach: Rusty Hughes
Last season: 17-3, Mid-State Conference champion; lost to Center Grove in sectional final
Top returnees: Kate Heuchan and Daryn Hyneman, seniors; Allison Bennett, Emma Genter, Rachel Pinnick and Lexi Wilkison, juniors; Haylie Rayl, sophomore
Key newcomers: Haley Haldeman, Jenna Hash and Zoe Hawkins, freshmen
Outlook: Six of the seven starters from last season’s Mid-State Conference championship squad return, giving longtime coach Hughes hopeful for another productive spring. “Our schedule is upgraded with some more difficult opponents like Columbus East and Silver Creek,” Hughes said. “I think we should be able to compete at sectional. Our depth is good. Our No. 1 singles through No. 3 singles are pretty much the same, and both doubles teams are pretty good.”
Greenwood Woodmen
Coach: Jeremy Runge
Last season: 4-12, Mid-State Conference tournament runner-up; lost to Franklin in first round of sectional
Top returnees: Simi Kaur, senior; Alexa Ashmore, Emily Chatham, Ally Hussung and Maecee Terhune, juniors
Key newcomers: Sophia Davidson, Tori Graber and Marisa Linville, freshmen
Outlook: Chatham, the Woodmen’s No. 2 singles player a year ago, is back, as are doubles starters Terhune and Hussung. Runge welcomes a talented freshman group to help fill in any voids in the lineup left behind by graduation. "We’re young. Our three freshmen were successful in middle school, so we’re hoping that translates to the high school level," Runge said. "I’m very happy with the team dynamic."
Indian Creek Braves
Coach: Mike Perry
Last season: 7-9; third in Western Indiana Conference; lost to Center Grove in sectional semifinal
Top returnees: Katie Burkman, senior; Brooke Coy, Ali Harris and Alyssa Pruitt, juniors
Key newcomers: Carina Nienaber, junior; Avery Burress, Jackie Butler, Zoe Rayback, Gabby Schwartz and Emilee Scott, freshmen
Outlook: First-year coach Perry inherits a program with four returning starters, including Burkman, the Braves’ No. 1 singles player. Perry said Pruitt could be in line for the second singles spot, while freshman Rayback could be No. 3 singles. Expected to comprise the top doubles duo are Harris and Coy. “Having four returners, those girls are pretty solid,” said Perry, whose squad opens the season April 8 at Franklin. “The freshmen will be tested early. It’s a good group of girls as far as athletics and just attitude.”
Whiteland Warriors
Coach: Mike Gillespie
Last season: 15-5, lost to Franklin in sectional semifinal
Top returnees: Reese Johnson and Bri Harwell, seniors; Sophie Venter, junior; Sarah Scott, sophomore
Key newcomers: Kyleigh Blum, Madison Darling, Dayanarah Gonzalez, Emma Harris and Lili Santiago, juniors; Brooke Boehnlein, Molly Brosnan, Natalie Cloer, Kaylee Hoagland and Brooklyn Nieto, sophomores
Outlook: Johnson returns for her fourth and final season at No. 1 singles. Scott, Venter and Harwell were also starters a year ago. “We’re not as deep as we were last year, but there is a lot of potential,” coach Mike Gillespie said. “We’ve got good players and I think they’re working pretty hard.”
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