The DCHS tennis program ended the 2024 season with several improvements and accomplishments, beginning with increased victories for both teams. The Tigers boys team finished the season with a 13-9 record, increasing its win output from nine during the 2023 season. After winning zero matches last year, the Lady Tigers earned a 6-13 record and finished fifth out of eight in District 7-AA.  The boys finished the regular season as the second seed again behind district powerhouse Cookeville but fell to rival White County in the team tournament to finish in 3rd place.

The boys varsity team returned five players from the 2023 squad, including Ian Barnes, Carson Vincent, Luke Midgett, Martin Willingham, and Jackson Mathis. Brayden Summers and Ethan Brown were major contributors as newcomers to the varsity lineup. As the #1 seed for DeKalb, Barnes went 3-2 in that position for the district season, earning him the #3 seed at the district tournament in Cookeville on May 2nd and 3rd. Barnes lost a 3-set marathon to Isaac Wheeler of Cookeville in the semifinals, achieving a feat no DeKalb player has accomplished in recent memory, defeating a Cavalier in a set. Brian Cadle, who just finished his third season as DeKalb varsity tennis coach, was both pleased and excited for the Tigers’ season. “Our boys’ team earned double-digit victories during the regular season after losing Isaac Brown and Brett Walker from last year. We beat all of our district opponents short of Cookeville again this year. Our boys have more to accomplish and are willing to invest time in the off-season to keep our successes growing.” The team loses Vincent and Willingham but has several underclassmen ready to fill the void.

The girls varsity team returned Charlotte Paladino, Brynn Harvey, Sylvia Evans, Abby Crook and Taylor Patterson from last season. Tess Barton returned to the Lady Tigers’ squad for her senior season, after playing her freshman and sophomore years. Kaylee Hoersch was the top newcomer for the girls in both singles and doubles. Cadle stressed the resilience and patience of the girls throughout the past couple of seasons. “Our girls team from 2023 spent that season learning how to play at the varsity level, as we lost several seniors and had a couple of players not come back. It was difficult for all of us last season to endure the losses but we tried to learn from each match. This year, Tess returned to our team and we had a large outpouring of sophomore players join the program. The new players added a competitive factor to practices. The result was a team that grew in confidence and we started seeing some wins.”

Cadle credited the team’s growth and success to several factors, including the efforts of his assistant coaches, Chad Ramsey, Polly Edgerton and Patrick Duke. “We are growing a strong tennis community in DeKalb County, including coaches who are passionate about the game. I am grateful for my coaching colleagues, who share my vision of a competitive K-12 tennis program here.” “I am excited to begin our summer and fall off-season programs for our high school and middle school players, including ample opportunities right here in Smithville. I believe firmly that athletes develop the most in the off-season and that time is now.”