by Tracy McCue, Sumner Newscow — 10 things you need to know about the 2014 Wellington High School tennis squad…

1. Where we last left off…

Wellington head girls tennis coach Brian Aufdengarten brings back five of the top six girls on the 2013 squad. Wellington had one doubles entry in the state tennis tournament in Topeka last October. Kelsey Whaley, who qualified with Peyton Adams, graduated with a 23-9 doubles record in 2013.

Peyton Adams

2. First the good news…

The good news is Peyton Adams returns for her fourth year in the program as a senior. She is a two-time state qualifier and one whale of a competitor. As part of the Wellington duo, she and her partner Whaley had a flare for the dramatic which included playing two marathon matches in the Wellington Regional last October in which it took five hours for them to play. Aufdengarten said he might use her in singles. Of course, that is in a perfect world. And we don’t live there.

3. Now the bad news …

Adams suffered a concussion in an off-the-court work-related accident. She won’t start the season and is questionable for the rest of the season depending on her recovery. Not only is that devastating news for the competitive senior, but her absence would be huge to WHS’ post season aspirations if she was not to return.

“If (the doctors) clear her, we will not be in a hurry to bring her back,” Aufdengarten said. “Her health is too important to us.”

4. Other doubles team players from 2013… 

The other starting 2013 doubles team will be back and appears to be intact… providing Aufdengarten doesn’t juggle the lineup… which he will. Maggie Fink is now a senior and Madison Adams is a junior. The two players as Wellington’s No. 2 doubles team accumulated a 21-11 record in 2013, and just missed qualifying for state in an extremely competitive regional.

5. Returning singles player…

Last year’s singles players in regional play were Auni Williams and Dietra Sober who return as juniors this year. They are returning, but they are far from guaranteed a starting spot in 2014.

“In football, and basketball and in volleyball, naming the starters is the opinion of the coach,” Aufdengarten said. “That’s not the case in tennis. You have to beat the girls who are in front of you.”

And in the first two weeks of practice thus far for the Wellington tennis team there has been some heady competition. Aufdengarten estimates that 10 players could be starting in the varsity lineup.

6. She’s baaaack…

As a freshman, Ryleigh Buck – the sister of 2010 doubles state champion Kaitlyn Buck, came in and immediately started as a varsity starter and went 14-1 in her first few weeks. She, however, dropped out to concentrate on her first love – girls softball. But she has returned her junior year and has made an immediate impact.

“She hasn’t dropped off one iota,” Aufdengarten said.

7. The infusion of the young…

Not since the late 2000s has the WHS tennis program seen an infusion of young players come into the system in one year. Mckenna Adams, a freshman, is currently at the top of the challenge ladder in practice. Lexi Saffell, another freshman, is 5-1 so far and could see varsity playing time.

Others to watch: Cajen Shore, a senior; Alexis Hinman, a junior; Noelle Wright, a junior; and Madison Lewellen, a sophomore.

8. The schedule…

Wellington opens with two home invitationals on Sept. 2 and Sept. 9 and will see significant competition including Buhler , Wichita Collegiate and Conway Springs in either tournament.

Wellington opted out of the Chaparral Tournament to play in the Arkansas City tournament on Sept. 18.

2014 WELLINGTON TENNIS SCHEDULE

9. Full roster as of today…

10. The season ahead…

Wellington won’t be accused of playing a soft schedule. The preseason tennis rankings came out and Winfeild, Buhler are in the top eight in Class 4A while Wichita Collegiate is No. 1 in Class 3-2-1A. The thing about Collegiate is, the Spartans could return to Class 4A when enrollment figures are released in September.

Of course, Wellington’s state tournament aspirations depends on the Regional Tournament draw. And that won’t be released until mid-September.

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