For two teammates to play each other for a state medal is a rare occurrence. For them to both be Sophomores and from a public school is unheard of. In 2012, Chillicothe's Sydnie Whiteside beat teammate and friend Ali Stephens for the state 5th place medal, capping a season that included an undefeated conference team title and district runners-up for the team. While their dominance may of surprised some, it was no surprise to their coaches.
     "Last year, we knew we had two really good players (Whiteside and Stephens) and everybody else was new, so we knew we had a really good chance to win two singles and one doubles if we played them together" commented Coach Ed Douglas, who takes over for his son Aaron as head coach.
      The surprise came when the rest of the team started picking up wins during the season. The team won several contests by 9-0 shutouts, but also managed to win several close matches during the year. This season, there just may be a few more blow outs and a few less close matches. The Lady Hornets lost just one Senior, their #6 player Steffanie Gramenz. Their top five players are still underclassmen. It's a nice situation to be in, however Douglas says it does create one problem.
     "You don't want to count your chickens before they're hatched but if anything, I'm concerned about our girls getting enough competition" stated Douglas. "Most coaches would love to have that problem".
     Douglas, who has one of the top five tennis coaching win-loss records in the state from his years coaching the boys teams with Ron Keith, said he tried to schedule his girls team in tougher tournaments and tried to schedule private schools such as Pembroke Hill of Kansas City this season, but was unsuccessful.
     "The best competition might be amongst themselves in tournament finals". He stated he can also bring in strong competition to practice against. "I have the luxury to bring out people like my son Aaron (former head coach), Ron Keith (former boys co-coach), Morgan Saunders (2008 State 4th place Doubles Team Member) and our student manager, Gabe Poling, who was the boys district champion last year"

     In addition to Whiteside and Stephens, the Lady Hornets return #3 singles Chelsea Long (Junior), #4 singles Kelly Westphal (Sophomore) and #5 singles Jozie Reeter (Junior). Douglas expects some tough competition between players wanting to fill the #6 slot. Seniors Therese Taylor and Candice Callahan along with others including a couple of the team's five new freshmen are all serious contenders for the lone vacancy on Varsity.

     While their goals are lofty this season, one of them is to avenge last year's losses to Trenton. The Lady Bulldogs had Chillicothe's number, beating the lady Hornets three times including in the district finals. As for Whiteside and Stephens, you just might see them together on the doubles court this season.
     "I think we're strong enough in #3 through 5 to play everyone straight up, and maybe play Sydnie and Ali together in doubles" said Douglas.

     That sound you here is likely the rest of the MEC tennis teams letting out a collective groan of frustration.