The Charlotte Observer’s 2020 girls private high school tennis preview
Last week, the N.C. Independent Schools Board of Trustees voted to move ahead with fall sports.
High school football practice will begin next week and games will begin Sept. 25.
Cross-country, girls tennis and girls golf will begin the week of Sept. 8. The following week, field hockey, volleyball and boys soccer return.
We continue today with girls tennis.
Girls Tennis Teams to Watch
Charlotte Christian: The Knights have not traditionally been a consistent team. But in 2018, Charlotte Christian went 14-2 overall and advanced to the NCISAA 2A state semifinals. Last year, injuries limited the Knights to a 7-6 record. This season, Christian boasts a strong trio at the top of their lineup with juniors Lilly McNally and classmates Sophia Farrell and Savannah Perry giving them a shot to move back up the CISAA conference standings and into a more favorable playoff position.
Charlotte Latin: The Hawks have won 31 matches in the past two years, including a 17-2 mark last year when they won the NCISAA 4A state title, knocking off two-time defending state champion Durham Academy in the process. This year, Charlotte Latin is loaded again with the all-state trio of Kate Coppage, Chloe Floyd and Nina Lavelle, giving them a great chance to repeat as both CISAA conference and state champions.
Davidson Day: The Patriots return six starters from a team that won 10 games, tied for the Foothills’ Athletic Conference title and made it to the NCISAA 2A state quarterfinals. Senior Allison Lehman (No. 1 singles), freshman Vivian White (No. 2), juniors Ellie Kollme (No. 3), Lauren Meister (No. 4) and Delaney Brown are all back with newcomers like Sully Brown, a junior who played No. 2 in 2018 before sitting out last year, and fellow Briana Dopfel. Add it up and Davidson Day has the depth and talent to repeat as conference champions and make another deep NCISAA 2A state playoff run.
Gaston Day: The Spartans were one of the most improved teams in the state, going from 2-10 in 2018 to 10-4 in 2019 with a Metrolina Athletic conference tournament title. This year, Gaston Day will be led by freshmen Alex Ibsen and Bennett Jewell, sophomore Jessica Nosike, and juniors Leanne Kelledy and Isabel Wallwork all back in the lineup.
Providence Day: The Chargers return a solid core with sophomore Michelle Yang and seniors Molly Kerrigan and Kelsey Caldwell back to lead a team that will have more experience to improve on its 9-8 record and NCISAA 4A state quarterfinal run from a year ago.
Girls Tennis Players to Watch
Lindsay Capps, SouthLake Christian, Sr.: The Eagles’ No. 1 player and co-captain was an all-MAC conference pick last season.
Giulia Chitu, Gaston Christian, Jr.: Eagles’ No. 1 player from a year ago looks to help her team battle for the MAC title.
Kate Coppage, Charlotte Latin, Sr.: The all-state performer looks to carry her momentum into 2020 after winning the decisive match in Latin’s 5-4 state championship win over Durham Academy.
Passion Kabwe, Carmel Christian, Jr.: The Cougars’ No. 1 player was 10-2 in both singles and doubles’ play (20-4 overall) last year and will be back in the top spot.
Leanne Kelledy, Gaston Day, Jr.: Spartans’ standout looks to carry the momentum from a strong sophomore season (11-3 singles) into an even better junior season.
Madison Kirby, Cannon School, So.: Cougars’ all-state performer back to help her team get back into thick of the CISAA conference race.
Allison Lehman, Davidson Day, Sr.: The Patriots’ all-state performer is the lone senior starter back to lead a Davidson Day team that was a 2A state quarterfinalist last year.
Lilly McNally, Charlotte Christian, Jr.: The Knights’ all-conference performer played a key role by going 19-7 in singles and 18-8 in doubles last year.
Michelle Yang, Providence Day, So.: Chargers’ standout had all-state season, earning the team’s No. 1 singles position as a freshman.
Girls Tennis Players on the Rise
Sully Brown, Briana Dopfel, Davidson Day: Brown, a junior, was No. 2 in the Davidson Day lineup in 2018, but she didn’t play in 2019. Dopfel, also a junior, will likely crack the top three.
Emile Ibsen, Avery Shafer, Gaston Day: Gaston Day seventh-graders are both top USTA players in their age group and should have an immediate impact on the Spartans’ varsity lineup.
Maya Kollme, SouthLake Christian, Jr.: Showed potential when she played for SouthLake Christian as an eighth-grader, now returns to the squad and hopes to contribute from the start.
Metrolina Christian: The Warriors return five starters with seniors Jemma Beltz and Sydney Wright and juniors Pruette Norwood, Serina Oswalt, and Ella Stoneham bringing experience.
Lulu Sasz, Charlotte Country Day, Jr.: The Bucs’ junior will help lead a younger team, with classmate Julia McDonnell and sophomores Tenley Hippensteel and Janani Sundaram.
Sarah Walker, Charlotte Christian, So.: Knights’ junioir varsity No. 1 last year should have an immediate impact in the Charlotte Christian varsity lineup.
Interesting Notes
Charlotte Country Day tennis coach Calvin Davis is in his 30th year as head coach of the Bucs’ boys and girls tennis teams, leading (Country Day) teams to 30 state titles.
Gaston Day did not have a girls tennis team for several years prior to returning with a 2-10 record in 2018. Last year, Coach Erik Ibsen and the Spartans improved to 10-4, winning the MAC conference tournament title and reached the NCISAA state quarterfinals in the playoffs.
SouthLake Christian’s girls tennis team went 2-10 last year, but with their top eight players back, the Eagles have a chance to a much improved group.
Conference Predictions
CISAA Conference
Charlotte Latin; 2. Providence Day; 3. Charlotte Christian; 4. Cannon School; 5. Charlotte Country Day; 6. Covenant Day.
Foothills’ Athletic Conference
Davidson Day; 2. University Christian; 3. Hickory Christian; 4. Statesville Christian.
Metrolina Athletic Conference
Gaston Day; 2. Gaston Christian; 3. SouthLake Christian; 4. Metrolina Christian.