Seniors leaving to go to college is a bump in the road for any team. Losing nine seniors is a huge detour on the road to success.

And having a new coach on top of that? You’re not even on the road anymore. But as the boys’ tennis season is winding down, they have bypassed these detours all year and managed to make the best out of what can best be described as a year of transition.
This year, Spanish teacher Brian Santos began coaching JV and Varsity boys tennis, stepping in when former coach and school nurse, Sally Polly, decided to step down. Santos played tennis for years, and has been able to help the boys learn from a different coach’s perspective.
“He’s helped some people get a lot better
on the team,” sophomore Tyler Johnson said. “He’s worked with us and a lot of our techniques are getting better.”
With such short games, the pressure to do well is high, and Santos has been working with the athletes to improve.
“We’ve improved in terms of strategy, in terms of getting closer as a team, and in terms of our net games as doubles,” Santos said.

At the GACs last week, the boys’ tennis team went to Troy for the tournament May 6-8. FHN sent several players to GACs, including four singles players and four doubles teams.
“I think we all did well,” sophomore Taylor Bell said after their first day of play. “But some of our weak records put us up against some tough opponents so we had some trouble.
As the season comes to an end for most athletes, others continue on in their competing. They are still confident about their future.
“I want to end the season with a positive record and a positive team,” Hunkins said.