Union Pines Looks to Rebuild in 2016

The Union Pines Lady Vikings, under the direction of John Frye, are looking for a challenging season in 2016, coming off a 2015 season where they were conference co-champions with Fayetteville Terry Sanford and the 3-A state runner-up.   The team will be without four stalwarts who played key roles in Viking tennis successes over the past four years.

Graduated are state doubles champion Mary Beth Jackson, Megan Smith, a three-time all-conference performer, Megan Pusser, twice all-conference, and Kailee Southworth, twice a regional qualifier.   The quartet combined to win 344 matches.

Rising junior Hailee Haymore returns.   Haymore partnered with Jackson to win conference, regional, and state championships last year.  Julianne Hall is a three-time all-conference selection and three-time singles state qualifier.   Sarah Nicholson, Abbey Downing, and Hailey Trudeau, along with Hall, give the team senior dept and experience.

Nicholson has 41 career wins and is both a regional qualifier and an all-conference performer.  Downing is twice a regional qualifier and is expected to play a major role this season.

Trudeau joins junior Charlotte Craven, and the pair is vastly improved and should see lots of playing time.  Craven was a 2015 regional doubles qualifier.  Trudeau has amassed 21 career wins.

Freshman Madi Caddell will complete the team.  "Though inexperienced, Madi is blessed with a commendable work ethic, and her game is rapidly improving," said Caoch Frye.

"Finding workable doubles pairings will be a key to the team's success against a slate of talented opponents including Terry Sanford, Pinecrest, Chapel Hill, and O'Neill Academy.  Should we remain injury-free and continue to improve, we expect to compete for conference honors and be a team of note in the state playoffs," commented Coach Frye.