The 2025 tennis season is here, and area programs are swinging into action with a mix of postseason aspirations. From veteran rosters to up-and-coming rosters with new talent, here’s a look at what each team brings to the court this spring.
Apollo
After graduating 18 seniors, Apollo enters the season focused on developing a younger group of athletes into competitive tennis players.
On the girls’ side, Sophey Jennings returns as the team’s No. 1. She’s reached the state tournament every year she’s been on varsity. Alice Wilson, who battled injuries in 2024, is healthy again, and Jessie Pate showed promise in doubles play. The boys’ team will look to Jamison Framie to lead the way as their new No. 1.
“We have a bunch of new players who are athletes but aren’t tennis players,” head coach Janie Walther said. “We are going to turn them into tennis players and it will be interesting.”
With such an inexperienced roster, Walther’s main goal is for her team to compete at the varsity level and gain valuable match experience.
Daviess County
The Panthers came up just short last year, with both the boys’ and girls’ teams falling in the regional finals to Owensboro Catholic. With most of their core returning and only a few graduates lost, Daviess County is determined to flip the script in 2025.
First-year head coach Dylan McDuffee is confident in his team’s potential and wants to see his players embrace every opportunity.
Leading the boys are Matthew Dunlay, Eli Bivens, and Landon McDuffee, while eighth grader Mikhail Khachikyan could make an immediate impact. On the girls’ side, Alexa Salamah, Ella Boswell, and Emmie Kate Williams return as leaders, with freshman Jenna Faulkner expected to make waves.
McDuffee is focused on building confidence in his younger players and staying locked in on the fundamentals.
“As a first-year head coach, I want to stay organized and be attentive to everyone and all of the little things,” McDuffee said. “We expect to return to the regional finals and emerge victorious this time around.”
Hancock County
The Hornets’ boys finished the regular season with a strong 10-4 record last year but fell short in the region tournament. Still, the team exceeded expectations and returns a group of experienced players ready to take the next step.
“We beat a couple of teams that I don’t think anyone thought we were going to beat,” head coach Dan Hopkins said. “We do have some talent and some kids coming back, so I am hopeful. We have got to be ready to take it to the next level to really compete with the Owensboro schools and some of the other top schools in our region.”
Returning for the boys are Lucas Anderson, Kyle Anderson, and Tyce Boiling. On the girls’ side, Ella Chappell, Audree Morris, and Kylee Bowlds lead a team still in rebuilding mode but showing signs of progress.
“I want the team to keep working hard, improving, competing well, and having positive attitudes about it,” Hopkins said. “That is the bottom line and if those things happen, other successes will take care of themselves.”
Owensboro
The Lady Devils had high expectations in 2024 but came up short of a state appearance. This year, they’re back with the same fire, led by seniors Addie Travis, Whitley Ford, and Drew Crandall, along with sophomore Anna Travis.
Crandall joined the team last year and quickly established herself as a key contributor.
“She is a scrapper and showed vast improvement due to her dedication,” head coach Madeline Williams said.
Williams hopes her returning players can embrace leadership roles.
“I really want to see our returning players take the lead and be leaders for the up-and-coming players,” Williams said. “Be models on and off the court because we aren’t just building athletes, but growing solid human beings.”
On the boys’ side, the Red Devils lost several seniors but bring back a strong group. Sophomore John Clay Ford, the team’s lone state qualifier last year, returns, along with veterans Romer Payne, Andrew Diebel, Broderick Divine, and Malik Browder.
Junior Walker Gaddis—who has his sights set on a return to the state tournament—has formed a strong doubles pairing with freshman Miles McDaniel.
Head coach Clay Ford is especially looking forward to coaching his own children.
“My daughter is a senior and my son is a sophomore,” Ford said. “This is my last opportunity to enjoy this experience with her. I am really looking forward to watching and experiencing that with her. I hope she has a lot of fun, stays healthy, and enjoys her senior season.”
Ford wants his team to compete with purpose.
“What we are focused on is mental toughness, a winning attitude, and winning effort levels,” Ford said. “We want to be a well-prepared team, but we want to be confident, assertive, and respectful of both the game itself and our opponents. And of course, I want them to have fun.”
Owensboro Catholic
The Aces swept last year’s regional titles on both the boys’ and girls’ sides and reached the second round of the state tournament. Now, they’re looking to defend those titles with a mix of proven talent and fresh faces.
The girls’ team graduated six players but returns 2024 singles regional champion Ella Cason, who is chasing her fifth straight regional title. She’s joined by returners Madison Clark, Lexie Moyers, Meredith Traylor, Sophia Merchant, Paige Hamilton, and Reagan Hamilton.
The boys return most of their roster, including Houston Danzer, Jack Haynes, Luke Pfeifer, John William Wathen, Joseph Merchant, Ben Haines, and Jack Haines. Fresh faces Ollie Haines and Henry Haines are expected to contribute early.
Head coach Noel Clayton has his sights set on another postseason run.
“We play a tough schedule this year,” Clayton said. “…We want to get better so we are peaking at the end of the year. Winning the team championship is a big deal for us because that determines who wins the region. We’d like to win that and take our chances in the state. I want to see everybody get better.”
