Smith-Cotton Boys Tennis team has started the season off strong and has their eyes on districts.

Boys Tennis Head Coach Rush Walters said that the team is doing pretty good despite playing challenging teams. The Tigers are currently 9-1. At press time the Tigers have two more duals. 

“We are just having a lot of fun this season,” Walters said. 

One of the challenges the team has faced was playing bigger teams like Hickman, Jefferson City and Warrensburg high schools, but the Tigers ended up beating those teams. Walters said one of the team’s strengths is depth between the No. 3 and 4 positions, and in certain matches the 3 and 4 slots score points for the team. The Tigers also didn’t lose many players from the 2020 season, and many of the juniors and seniors have been playing together since the 2019 season.

Senior Daniyel Kukosh said the team is solid and there are not many weak points. He said the team is outgoing, helpful, and motivates each other, which helps build the team chemistry. 

Walters said the team hasn’t really been affected by COVID-19, since tennis is played outside, which gives the athletes more room to space out. There is also limited contact between the athletes when they compete.

“I’m so glad we have the opportunity to play,” Walters said. 

Kukosh said that missing the 2020 season hasn’t affected him or the rest of the team, and that the team is playing its hardest and trying to score points. The Tigers have high hopes for districts, where they will have a higher level of competition for both teams and individuals. Walters hopes to place high in the team ranks.  

“I hope that the team will play harder, play every point, and work hard; we can accomplish our goals,” Walters said.