As spring sports begin, the Lady Reds are preparing for tennis to begin. Spring sports include baseball, tennis, and track and field. Due to COVID-19, the number of tennis tournaments and matches have been reduced by 25% and the season is seven weeks instead of the normal ten weeks.

“I have mixed feelings about the season going into the summer. I like it because it is usually still cold at the beginning of the season, and we all freeze during matches,” Mariah Noonan (22) said. “Starting later and going later means we will have warm weather 24/7. On the other hand, I don’t like it because it goes for about a month after school, and I think that can be hard for some girls.”

According to CHSAA, tennis practice is able to start on April 26. The Lady Reds will have their first match against Thompson Valley on May 3. Tennis regionals are scheduled for June 4 and the State tournament will be June 10-12 to conclude the season.

Season D running into the first part of summer has caused controversy for many athletes. Eaton’s seniors graduate on May 9 and school officially ends May 12, leaving a whole month of the tennis season occurring over the summer. 

Noonan said, “One goal I have for myself is to make it further in State. My first year my partner and I went to State as number four doubles, and I think it would be awesome to experience that again.”

As the start of the tennis season is around the corner, the Lady Reds are preparing for their time on the court. Even though the 2021 season will be different for the Fightin’ Reds, the tennis players are glad to have a season.