Burnet team tennis’ veterans lead in many ways
CAPTION: The 2026 Burnet High School team tennis team is Vae Untermeyer (front row, left), Layton Powell, Eryn Halford, Blake Haynes; Ryland Morrow (middle row, left), Rowyn Mulhollan, Chance Garnett, Amara Hakker, Ander Shaffer; Mason Stafford, Miles Davis, Knox Bening, Griffin Davis, Logan Edwards, Gatlin Gilmore and head coach Jayci Craig. Staff photo by Jennifer Fierro
The Burnet High School team tennis team is beginning District 25-4A play by welcoming Marble Falls at 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 3.
Burnet has one senior, Eryn Halford, who has logged the court time necessary for success, according to head coach Jayci Craig.
“She has been in the tennis program since I believe the seventh grade, so she’s been going at it,” she said. “She’s been working really, really hard this summer doing her private lessons, so I’m excited to see how she competes in district.”
While Halford’s athleticism and experience are evident, Craig said the senior brings something else that’s invaluable.
“Her biggest thing that I’m going to really, really need and expect from her is the leadership quality,” she said. “And she’s a great leader. She steps in and she helps. We have more inexperienced kids or kids that just haven’t done tennis before.”
She noted the players have been putting in the court time in an effort to improve and Halford has led the way.
“She stepped right in, she helped them,” the coach said. “She started running drills that she knew from when she was a beginner, and that’s been great, teaching them how the program should be ran and what it should look like.”
Craig said Halford has taken it upon herself to assist her teammates in learning the proper way to play, especially the younger ones who are still learning the sport. Learning the right way to play tennis because of the swings, snapping of the wrists and footwork forces successful players to be on target when it comes to technique. And the coach indicated the senior hasn’t been shy about sharing what she knows.
“She has stepped into and played that role of ‘this is what we’re supposed to be doing, this is how we’re supposed to be doing it’ when I’m not necessarily around,” she said. “I’ve got a lot of kiddos and a lot of courts. So if I’m over here and she’s over there, I know she’s on it to help.”
The team also has one junior, Vae Untermeyer.
“Same thing,” the coach said. “She’s been taking a lot of private lessons with Eryn. I have a lot of kids that are really, really dedicated to the program and dedicated to the sport and playing all year round, getting lessons all year round, so that’s great. And I have some kids that just want to work hard. They just want to be a part of the program, and they want to get better. That’s probably one of the most important steps in building a solid program with a solid foundation. These kids really care and then want to work hard.”
Nothing illustrates that more than playing in early August when the Texas heat and humidity is in the triple digits. That’s one reason why Craig applauds these athletes.
“They’re so dedicated to just coming out here and being talented at this sport and focusing on this sport,” she said. “I think a lot of athletes, including myself, I love the idea of changing up each season. And so for them to come out here day in and day out all year long and be apart of this shows their ultimate dedication. And I think that’s important for a program.”
