Photo: Lelia Venable of The Academy of The Sacred Heart sends a return across the during a Friday match against Jordan Dunbar of Avoyelles Public Charter.
Photo by FREDDIE HERPIN, Photographer
BOBBY ARDOIN
Contributing Writer
(*Note – St. Landry Now photographer Freddie Herpin spent some time photographing a match Friday between the Academy of The Sacred Heart and Avoyelles Public Charter. Check out Freddie’s photo gallery of the match on the website).
Spring sports exploded Friday at South City Park, with three St. Landry Parish girls’ and boys’ tennis teams either practicing or engaging in competitive matches.
The Academy of The Sacred Heart-Grand Coteau played Avoyelles Public Charter occupied several of the courts, while players from Opelousas High and Opelousas Catholic practiced as the scored match unfolded.
ASH tennis coach Emily Mixon said her team consists of four seniors, a junior and six sophomores and freshmen.
On the No. 1 court Mixon watched Lelia Venable play a singles’ match against APC sophomore Jordan Dunbar. It was the third match of the season for ASH, said Mixon.
“This year it seems we have a big influx of kids into the (tennis) program and it’s been exciting to watch them develop and learn to play the game,” Mixon pointed out.
Opelousas Catholic
OCS boys’ and girls’ tennis coach Chuck Soileau had his team practicing on the far end of the courts as the ASH-APC match continued.
Soileau said the Vikings have a program comprised mainly of girls.
“This year we have 11 girls and one boy, Jacob Vasquez. Right now our top girls’ player is Sabrina Dupre,” Soileau said.
On Thursday the Vikings defeated Sacred Heart-Ville Platte.
Opelousas High
Veteran Opelousas High tennis coach Rubin Simmons was at the other end of the courts practicing his girls’ and boys’ team.
Simmons had his players undergoing agility drills.