Two of the best players on the Ankeny girls’ tennis team spend most of their time focusing on other sports.
Senior Alexis Legg also plays for the Ankeny girls’ soccer squad during the spring. She will play that sport in college at Augustana (S.D.).
“(Legg) has so much to balance,” said Ankeny girls’ tennis coach Katie Owens. “But she is awesome at communicating with both coaches.”
Senior Miranda Greathouse will be another key player for the Hawkettes. She has signed a letter of intent to play volleyball at Grand View University.
Greathouse and Legg helped Ankeny to a 6-7 record last year, including a 1-4 mark in the CIML Central Conference. The Hawkettes advanced to the final of a Class 2A regional team tournament before falling to Johnston, 5-0.
There are 55 players on the roster.
“Our team is filled with outstanding young ladies,” Owens said. “These ladies are extremely coachable, enthusiastic and hard working.”
Legg posted a 4-6 record in singles a year ago. Greathouse went 1-5 in singles and also saw a lot of doubles action.
Seniors Marie Beecham, Ali Jacobsen and Katelyn North are also back along with juniors Allie Muchori and Karly Weber. They were all part of Ankeny’s doubles lineup last season.
Beecham and Jacobsen teamed up for a second-place finish in No. 3 doubles at the Indianola Invitational. Weber was part of the runner-up team in No. 3 doubles at the Boone tournament.
Lydia Blatt and Morgan Luther are among the other returnees for the Hawkettes, who will open their season at Des Moines North on April 3 before hosting Ames in their home opener on April 5.
“Our goal for the season is to improve with every match,” Owens said. “In order for this team to reach its full potential, we are going to have to be able to outhustle (our opponents) and fight for every match.”
Owens expects several talented newcomers to play big roles for the Hawkettes. Some of them, like Greathouse and Legg, are standouts in other sports.
“I am excited about our underclassmen,” Owens said. “They are multiple-sport athletes who are ready to learn the sport of tennis.”