Even Through Rebuilding, High Expectations Remain for Seahawks Tennis
By Terry Massey
It seems the Myrtle Beach Tennis Center's courts aren't the only things undergoing renovations there this year.
So is the Myrtle Beach High girls tennis team, which finally played its first home match Tuesday after spending the first two weeks of the season on the road while its home courts were resurfaced. As it turns out, the Lady Seahawks also are getting a makeover.
``We lost a lot of seniors last year and all but one player on the varsity this year was on JV last season,'' said Myrtle Beach coach Steve Walsh. ``We usually have four or five girls among the best in the state, maybe one or two this year, but we will hold our own.''
True, the Lady Seahawks shouldn't have any problems with most of the teams on their schedule, as evident by their 6-0 sweep over Lake City in Tuesday's home opener - and that impressive victory came with their top players sitting out because of illnesses.
No. 1 player and lone senior Jordan Lazarus was recovering from an appendectomy and No. 2 Jessie Dumas, an eighth-grader, was out with a high fever, but both are expected to return to the court soon. Still, Myrtle Beach made busy-work with Lake City.
Acting No. 1 Stevie Woodward won her match 6-3, 6-0 and No. 3 Michaela Trew won 6-0, 6-1. They were the only Lady Seahawks to lose a set on the day, with No. 2 Taylor French, No. 4 Lindsey Fisher, No. 5 Lindsey Springs and the No. 1 doubles duo of Carolyn Gore and Logan Miles running the tables by 6-0, 6-0 scores over the Lady Panthers to improve to 3-1 on the season.
The lone loss came to Bishop England, Myrtle Beach's traditional rival for the Lower State championship, so there is concern. But even in a down year, Myrtle Beach is such an established state power and the talent level is still superior to similar-sized schools.
``For Myrtle Beach tennis, success is a given,'' Walsh said, ``but it's also expected, and it's measured in state championships.''
The Lady Seahawks hit the road for two more weeks before returning for their next home game against St. James on Oct. 6. They play all but one match at home in the month of October before beginning the playoffs on Nov. 3, when they also hope to host.
A sign at the entrance of the complex lists the Lady Seahawks' state title years and it's hard to find a gap from 1990-2005, when they took 13 crowns in a 15-year span. But there are none since, unless these Lady Seahawks can do some more remodeling.
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