Richmond Senior women’s tennis coach Paula York has an optimistic outlook on the future of the tennis program at Richmond Senior High.

With the summer winding down, and fall sports kicking into full gear at Richmond Senior, the women’s tennis team has been hitting its stride over the past two weeks as tryouts continue.

“This year, I have one senior coming back to the team and two juniors,” York said. “The majority of my players this year will be 10th graders.”

“The girls have been working hard, and they are showing some major improvements,” York added.

Pinecrest is always at the top of the conference in women’s tennis, and that seems to be the case again this season, York said. She said one reason for this is that there are more players in the Pinecrest system that have been playing for the better parts of their lives as their parents play, and they have the facilities to play year-round.

While York knows that the majority of these girls have not played tennis before — and experience is very valuable — she is optimistic about the players trying out for the team in 2010.

“The majority of the 10th graders that are trying out for my team are two-sport

athletes,” York said. “They are either softball players wanting to play tennis in the fall, or they are volleyball players that are trying out for the team.”

The tennis program hasn’t been strong at Richmond in recent years, and this is due to the fact that the high school is the only school that has a tennis team, and the majority of the players do not play year round, or they just play for fun in the off season.

York is very happy about the number of athletes that have come out to the tennis courts so far this season.

“We have had more girls try out this year than in any other year than I have been at Richmond,” York said.

While York is looking for the ten best girls to take the courts for the Lady Raiders, she is open to having a few more players on the team, as there is the possibility that an exchange student will try out for the team.

The Lady Raiders open the 2010 season Aug. 18 with a match at Jack Britt, and then they will travel to East Montgomery High School six days later.

Contact sports reporter Travis Anderson at 997-3111 ext. 44 or via e-mail at tanderson@yourdailyjournal.com.