Michael Pineda
The Duncan tennis program boasts two story lines this season as the girls team is expected to once again be one of the top irregardless of class and the boys look to rebuild.
For the Lady Demons, depth is a luxury as competition will be stout throughout the lineup despite the loss to two All-Staters. Melanie Barnes is expected to earn a blue and gold jacket this season at No. 1 singles and she will have a lot of help as Duncan looks to dethrone Bishop McGuinness.
“We are going to be at No. 2 probably with McGuinness at No. 1,” Duncan coach Phil Barnes said. “We don’t have to beat them nine or 10 times this season. Just once in May.”
Duncan finished third in the state last year and also has a couple of runner-up finishes to its credit in the past three years. Leading the way will be Melanie Barnes, who finished third last season and was named Oklahoma All-Star for the third year in a row.
“There is good competition at No. 1 singles and she is probably ranked second,” Phil Barnes said. “She is stronger this year and hitting a heavier ball.”
The lineup will have a different look behind Barnes with newcomers to the varsity lineup as well as veterans assuming different roles.
Freshman Brittany Toone is one newcomer that will shoulder responsibility as the No. 2 singles player.
“I’m excited about her,” Barnes said. “She has a lot of talent and a lot of potential. Last year, she was undefeated in junior high.”
Veteran Kate LeValley will return at No. 1 doubles and will be joined by Taylor Gardner, who was on the No. 2 doubles team last season.
“Taylor is a big hitter and Kate is rock solid,” Barnes said. “She has really come along in her high school career and she is good at making adjustments. Their personalities mix well.”
Haley Hartzell is back at No. 2 doubles and brings a wealth of experience for Duncan. During her career, she has won a state championship and has been runner-up twice.
“She has to be a rock for us,” Barnes said. “We need her to be a consistent, steady leader.”
Lining up alongside Hartzell could be one of several girls. Kelsey LeValley got the nod in the first tournament of the year. Also competing is Kathryn Jeffords as well as Britton and Brooklyn Scott, who are still in basketball.
“Even though we have a lot of kids back, a lot are playing with a new partner or in a new spot in the lineup,” Barnes said. “It’s going to take a while for us to gel.”
It will also take time for the boys, which will try to replace three regulars from last year’s fourth place team. That task will become that much harder with the loss of freshman Nathan Street, who is moving.
“We have three starters coming back but they have to play in tougher positions,” Barnes said. “The main thing that I want them to do is play hard and compete. That have improved over the last year.”
Leading the way will be Nic Zinn and Davis Loafman, who, along with everyone else, will be moved around the lineup.
“They are the best of the bunch and at the end of the year, we could split them up on two doubles teams,” Barnes said.
Last season, Zinn was a regional runner-up in doubles with Landon Jones and Davis teamed up with Kolten Burge to place 7th in No. 2 doubles at state.
Burge will be back and expected to fill a slot in doubles as will Carter Jones and Blake Bartlett. Trevor Moore will compete for playing time in singles and Spencer Pearson will be in the mix as well.
“Our goal is to qualify for state,” Barnes said. “The good thing is that we are young. All of our kids are sophomores and freshmen.”
Duncan has one tournament under its belt and will be at home Saturday for what Barnes has termed as the Michael Pineda Invitational. The invitational will consist of four teams and will start at 8 a.m.
— Michael Pineda is the sports editor for The Duncan Banner. He can be reached at 255-5354, Ext. 143, or via e-mail at m.pineda@duncanbanner.com.
