For seniors Cole McClure and Slade Yeager, the end of high school tennis is on the horizon. All divisions including team, doubles, and individuals have been chasing that coveted banner all season long and it is finally time to compete for it. Seeds 1 and 2, McClure and Yeager, are competing towards a doubles victory while seed 3, Davin Ludwig, is up for individuals. Ludwig, unfortunately was knocked out in the third round.

“Davin was playing the 4th ranked player in the state. If he would have won, it would have been an upset.” McClure said.

McClure and Yeager however, are still on the road to state. One unique strength they have against other teams will take opponents by surprise. “Since we’re both lefties, it throws off their game because the majority of people are righties,” McClure said.

All of the opponents’ right handed shots will actually benefit this power duo. He went on to say, “the shots they would normally hit are to our strengths instead of our weaknesses”
Yeager is very confident for the matches to come. “The plan? Going there and winning,” he said with a big smile on his face.

Not only do they have to perform well during their matches and practices, but also in their daily lives. Slade said, “you have to prepare mentally to win, also you have to make sure your body is doing good because if you’re not physically ready, you won’t do as well.”

After beating Chaparral, the team will advance to the next round. “[Slade and I] are in the quarter finals, this Fri. at 3 p.m. at Paseo Racket Center.” McClure said.

With both boys four year letter winners, the stakes are high and the hope is even higher. “I think Slade and I can take it all the way.” McClure said. “It just the culmination of everything I’ve been working for. This is it, this is where I can prove myself.”