Dexter, Missouri - The Lady Cats Tennis Team begin their season under new head coach April Aldridge and new assistant coach Chris Brannan.

"My daughter Morgan started tennis last year," commented Coach Aldridge.  "And I didn't want to see the program fall off or struggle this year.  The school searched for a few months and couldn't find anyone within the District or retired to agree to coach the girls tennis program, so I called Chris and together we decided to coach this year."

Coach Aldridge has a background in coaching volleyball at the club level and I have given private tennis lessons for about 20 years,"  Coach Brannan said.  "I have also worked with the Kennett high school girls tennis team on a needed basis for about the same length of time."

Dexter will compete in Class 1, District 1 against Kennett, Caruthersville, Charleston, Notre Dame, and Sikeston.  Fredericktown is leaving Class 1, District 1 for Class 1, District 2 and Sikeston dropped from Class 2, District 1 to Class 1, District 1.  Kennett has won the District Championship the past 9 seasons and will be a stiff competitor again this year.

"I think we will be able to compete well in the District this year.  We finished 3rd behind Kennett and Notre Dame," continued Brannan. "Those two are the top tier of the District and our goal is to get to their competition level.  I am hoping we can get up there this year."

Dexter will return three seniors, three juniors, and six sophomores to the squad this year.  Alexis May, Macy Urhahn, and Reagan Miller are the only three seniors for the Bearcats.

"We have three seniors and they form a solid base for the team and are among our top varsity players," stated Aldridge.  "We are still in the process of setting our opening day so I don't have a lineup ready to publish."

"Overall, our entire group works hard at practice," continued Aldridge.  "They put in quite a bit of time over the summer in our open court workouts and have shown major improvement in all areas of their game."

The Lady Cats will open at Sikeston on Monday, August 22nd at 4:00 p.m. and return home on Tuesday, August 23rd against Charleston and home on Thursday, August 25th against Cape Central also at 4:00 p.m.

"Our first week we have three matches," stated Brannan.  "We are trying to get in a lot of match time in this week (weather permitting) in preparation for that first week."

The Lady Cats will be on the road for five regular season matches and be at home for seven matches.

Dexter will also compete in two tournaments; the Kennett Invitational which begins on September 10th and the Farmington invitational which begins on September 17th.

Juniors are Morgan Aldridge, Nicole Sells, and Rachel Singh.  Sophomores are Hannah Bien, Malia Cook, Abigail Dorton, Keirstan Keirsey, Maci McBride, and Jadyn Northcutt. At this time there are no freshman on the team.

2016 Varsity Girls Tennis Schedule

8/22 4 p.m.  at Sikeston

8/23 4 p.m.  Charleston (H)

8/25 4 p.m.  Cape Central (H)

8/29 4 p.m.  Poplar Bluff (H)

8/30 4 p.m. at Kennett

8/31 4 p.m. at Poplar Bluff

9/6  4 p.m. at Arcadia Valley

9/13 4 p.m. at Notre Dame

9/15 4 p.m. Caruthersville (H)

9/19 4 p.m. Kennett (H)

9/20 4 p.m. Notre Dame (H)

9/22 4 p.m. Jackson (H)

Note:  The junior varsity will play at each match except at Arcadia Valley on September 6th.  The two tournaments are varsity only. September 22nd will be senior night.

Shown in the photo are from left to right first row: Reagan Miller, Lexi may, and Macy Urhahn; second row: Morgan Aldridge, Rachel Singh, and Nicole Sells; third row: Maci McBride, Keirstan Keirsey, and Jadyn Northcutt; back row: Malia Cook, Hannah Bien, and Abby Dorton.