Last Updated on 12/1/2008

Published on 8/26/2008

By R.G. Greene

rgreene@gtowntimes.com

In their five years coaching the Georgetown High tennis team, Grace and Adam George have been steadily building the Bulldogs program.

There is much enthusiasm this year with 19 names on the roster - the most since the Georges started and enough to field a junior varsity squad - and the team trying to improve on its performance in 2007, a season in which the Bulldogs won 10 of 14 matches.

"We're excited to see the increased interest," Adam George said. "That tells you a lot about the girls we have and the effort they have put into the team. Grace and I have done what we could to help, but it's the dedication of our players that has really made the difference.

"We had a great season last year. We exceeded our expectations. Our players have shown what can be accomplished when you put forth the extra effort."

Eight seniors are returning to the team this year, including Caroline Stalvey, Nicole Johnson and Chelsie Miller. Sophomores Carolyn Lazzari and Katherine Small are also expected to be key contributors.

"We're looking forward to bigger and better things," George said. "Our players have worked hard during the offseason and are ready to take another step. Our goal is to make the playoffs."

Region 7-AAA promises to be crowded, with perennial power Myrtle Beach a heavy favorite to claim one of two playoff spots - even with 10 wins last year the Bulldogs missed the postseason.

"It's one of the strongest regions in the state," George said. "There are a lot of quality teams and only two will make the playoffs...Myrtle Beach is such a great team, they're state championship caliber every year."

WACCAMAW -- The Warriors finished 16-5 last season reaching the Class AA Lower State finals before falling to Bishop England.

Waccamaw will feature a team mostly of underclassmen with freshmen Emmy Ragsdale and Casey Altman and eighth-graders Margaret Brown and Sarah Elliott among the squad's top five seeds.

"It's new ground for us," said Waccamaw coach James Brown. "It used to be our older players who carried us, now the younger players are having to step up."

Brown is entering his fifth year as coach and, under his direction, the Warriors have won three of the last four Class AA state titles. He believes his team has the ability to make another run.

"We have a chance to be very good as the season progresses," Brown said. "We have a very tough schedule; we're going to be tested a lot. We know there are going to be some ups and downs as the year goes along. We have to get through that and be on top of our game when it comes time for the playoffs."

Girls golf

WACCAMAW -- The Warriors won the Class AAA championship as recently as 2005 and finished in the top 10 at the state tournament last year.

Top players like Alexandra Rippy and Addie Avant have graduated, but junior Brooke English - who shot an 87 during the state tourney in '07 - returns.

Junior Katlyn Gould also returns for Waccamaw and first-year coach Briael Blodgett expects eighth-grader Esther Kim to be part of the lineup as well.

"We have a lot of potential," Blodgett said. "Golf is such a mental game. Good or bad, you have to forget about what happened on the previous shot and focus on the next (shot). It takes some getting used to. But we're doing well, the girls are picking things up quickly."

Waccamaw will play its home matches this season at Pawleys Plantation.

"It's a beautiful course," Blodgett said. "It's very demanding. There is quite a bit of sand and water. It should be good preparation for the (state tournament).

GEORGETOWN -- The Bulldogs will field a young team in '07, with sophomores Mallory Thompkins and Alyssa Daniel being the oldest players on the roster.

Also in the lineup for coach Mitch Thompkins will be freshmen Carolyne Pender and Katie Lunsford and seventh-grader Lauren Owens.

"The girls are working hard to improve their games," Thompkins said. "We should be competitive in our matches this season and should keep improving over the next couple of years. I think our (team) has a strong future."

Wedgefield Plantation will serve as the Bulldogs' home course.

"It's a very long course for girls golf," Thompkins said. "With our players being used to it, we can use their (experience) to our advantage. We should know where the trouble on the course is and, hopefully, be able to avoid it."