April 11, 2025
By: Brian Cadle
The DCHS tennis teams ended a week of away matches with sweeps over Smyrna and Upperman. The victory over Upperman was a district win, as both DeKalb teams are vying for a spot in the end-of-season district team tournament. The tournament begins April 24th and includes the top four teams with the most regular-season wins. With six matches remaining until the tournament, five are against district opponents, including Cookeville, Livingston, Cumberland County, Stone Memorial, and Warren County.
The boys’ team had three starters, Lance Duke, Ethan Brown, and Cameron Ramsey, absent from the team for an FBLA state conference for Tuesday’s Smyrna match. Sophomore Boston Cantrell and freshman Zane Starkey achieved their first-ever varsity victories. Starkey teamed with senior Luke Midgett in doubles, winning his #5 singles match. Cantrell earned the win in #4 singles. Head Coach Brian Cadle was proud of his younger players stepping up. “Bos and Zane represent the future of our program as we are losing three seniors after this season. It was exciting to see them gain invaluable experience and also lead our team to a road victory.”
Abby Joe Crook led the girls’ team this week with an undefeated 4-0 record in her singles and double matches. Kayce Hale, Crook’s doubles partner, went 3-1 for the week, with her only loss coming in singles against Upperman. Charlotte Paladino, the lone senior on the team, went 3-1 for the week, capped by two wins against Upperman on Thursday. Crook, a junior, and Hale, a sophomore, have been integral to helping the Lady Tigers achieve a four-match winning streak. “Abby Joe has shown tremendous growth in her mental game this season. She can now move past a bad shot or lost point during a match, which helps her focus forward thinking to winning.” Hale has emerged as a consistent contributor to the varsity team after beginning her playing career in the fall of 2023. “Kayce is a young lady who simply loves the game of tennis. She is an outstanding student and person who has committed hours upon hours of practice. I know that Kayce comes out to the courts with her parents at all hours to work on her game. She does not miss an opportunity to play tennis. Her dedication is paying off for her and our program.”
The Lady Tigers are now 7-3 in the season, and the Tigers have moved to 8-2. DeKalb travels to Cookeville High School on Monday to play two district matches against CHS and Livingston Academy.