Next group of greats found at Marble Falls tennis camp

CAPTION: High school player Cooper Womack drops a ball in front of Lila Adams, who keeps her feet in the appropriate circles so she learns how to shift her weight and hips properly as she swings. Courtesy photo

After another successful tennis year where the Marble Falls High School program earned several district and regional medals, coaches look to get the next crew of players ready through the first of two camps.

Head coach Samuel Whitley was incredibly encouraged by the number of campers and their commitment to improve during the four-day event June 2-5.

In all, the camp drew 32 children in grades second through eighth and helping with the drills were nine high school players.

“We had them pretty much spread out,” Whitley said as he reflected on which grade drew the most players. “It was a fun camp. We taught a lot of the basic skills.”

He noted the campers all had different skill levels. Some have been playing the sport, while others are just now learning. Coaches demonstrated the correct way to hold and adjust a racquet as well as the foot work, how to play at the net and on the baseline along with the different strokes in the sport.

Assistant coach Nathan Redman “took the older kids. He was very impressed and extremely happy with the numbers.”

Meanwhile, Whitley worked with the younger players.

The camp was challenging. Though each session began in the early evening, each one was two hours. Players had to hydrate throughout the day and during the camp, which they all did.

Whitley said he and the staff made a commitment to teach and balance that with enjoyment so that campers were getting quality work in without realizing they were still learning. Besides footwork, the coaches also drilled the campers on eye-to-hand coordination.

“We incorporated a lot of different drills and games,” he said. “We probably spent 30 minutes working on agility. About 25 percent of our time was working on agility – stuff that’ll pay off in the future.”

He thought for a moment when asked what he attributed to the number of campers.

“I would like to say it’s because we’re building a program,” the coach said. “Finishing high in district is going to play a small role.”

While the team tennis team finished as the district runner-up for two years in a row in the fall, seven players advanced to the Class 4A Region III tournament during the spring. They finished in the top two at the District 24-4A tournament to get to regionals and one, senior Cooper Womack, advanced to the Class 4A state tournament for a second year.

Whitley said those finishes in a school year are hard for tennis fans to ignore.

“I think word is getting out that we’re trying to develop a program here,” he said. “And we’re giving quality coaching.”

The program invites players to open courts from 7-9 p.m. each Tuesday and Thursday. Players of all ages and skill levels are invited to participate. There is no cost to play.

The program will host the next tennis academy July 21-24 from 6-8 p.m. Cost is $70 for one player or $120 for two players. It already has 20 campers. Whitley said there’s still space for more.

Email him at sw******@********ed.net for more information.

CAPTION: High school player Chloe Taylor (left) is dropping balls to June Williams, while Carter Cauble (back) and Brynlee Crouse waith their turn. Courtesy photo