Lady Wolves Mixing Youth and Experience for Success

WESSON - The Co-Lin Women's Tennis team had a strong 2022 season finishing 11-7 in the regular season and fifth overall in the MACCC. However, the season came to an early end in the first day of the Region 23 Tournament after a loss to Hinds bringing their final record to 11-8 overall.

The 2023 Lady Wolves roster features 10 players with four returning sophomores and six incoming freshmen. The returning sophomores include Julianna Madrid (Bogota, Colombia), Makayla Martin (Brookhaven), Keegan Thurman (Monticello), and Valeria Rodriguez (Bradenton, Fla.) Incoming freshmen include Katelyn Berryhill (Brookhaven), Araial Campbell (McComb), Ally Everett (Wesson), Haley McCoulough (Brookhaven), Makaela Rummels (Brandon), and Anna Rutledge (Pearl).

Head coach Dana Hale says despite some injury issues in the fall, she is excited about the upcoming season.

"Our girls had a good fall despite having to have a few players miss time for various injuries. They competed in the ITA Tournament in Meridian, and we had some great results in that tournament," stated Hale. "Keegan Thurman made it to the consolation round of the B bracket in that tournament and I am proud of how she played in that as well as Anna Rutledge who also did a good job playing during that tournament."

"We are very happy that Ally Everett decided to stay close to home and play at Co-Lin, and she will have a big impact on both singles and doubles play for us, and Anna Rutledge has stepped up and played well for us during the fall," added Hale. "I am proud of the work ethic that the team as a whole has displayed throughout this time both on the court and in the classroom."

The Lady Wolves will face a 2023 schedule with 10 regular season conference matchups as well as some non-conference action against MACCC foes. Coach Hale says she is optimistic about the Lady Wolves chances this season.

"Despite the fact that the injury bug hit us big time in the fall, I am hoping all of our players come back and hit the ground running in the spring as we will get started soon after they get here," Hale said. "Playing each team just once for standings changes a lot of things for us and gives each conference match great importance. We know that we will have to be on our game and come ready to play because one loss could be a big difference maker standings wise in our conference now."

"The changes to the Region 23 Tournament come into play with our women's team too as they will get to play their tournament separate and a week ahead of the guy teams, which is something we are not used to doing during the regular season or at that tournament," added Hale.

The Lady Wolves open the season on the road against Southwest in a non-conference matchup and then face off against Hinds in a non-conference matchup for their home opener on Friday, February 10.