By Kevin Eckleberry

Sports Editor

The Callaway High girls’ tennis program is looking to take the next step.

After finishing second in Region 5-AA last season, the Lady Cavs are hoping to move up a spot this spring.

The Lady Cavs finish the regular season with a showdown against Pike County on Tuesday, and on Thursday they’ll begin play in the region tournament.

The Lady Cavs have already qualified for the state tournament, but they’d like to head to state as region champs.

“It’d be nice to win a region championship,” Callaway head coach Kareem Douhne said. “Either way we’re in (state), but I’d rather finish first than second.”

The Lady Cavs are 11-2 overall, and they have an unblemished region record of 7-0.

Douhne said Pike County ahd Heard County will be the other teams to beat at the region tournament.

The Callaway team that finished second in the region a year ago has returned basically in tact.

Sophomore Jill Cook is the No. 1 singles player, and Crystal Robinson holds down the No. 2 singles spot.

Erin Anderson, a basketball and softball standout at the school, is the No. 3 singles playe.

“She’s a big-time leader,” Douhne said. “The girls, they look up to her. It’s a winning attitude with her. She’s done a good job.”

Rachel Williams and Morgan Sikes make up the No. 1 doubles team, and Caitlin Gilbert and Kasey Barentine are the No. 2 doubles team.

Douhne said there are 15 players on the roster, and that has made for some nice battles in practice.

“There has been a lot more competition with some girls winnng spots, losing spots,” Douhne said. “Every week, we’ve had somebody challenging for a spot.”

Douhne said the team has played a lot of junior varsity matches, which has allowed more players to be involved.

“That’s helped a lot,” he said.

Douhne has been thrilled with the effort his players have given all season, and not just during matches and practices.

Last week, the players held a serve-a-thon, with the team attempting to raise money for different thing the program needs.

Kind of like a walk-a-thon, each player went out and got people to sponsor them, promising to pay one dollor for each serve they took.

The players, Douhne said, embraced the challenge.

“It’s something we started this year, and they did well,” Douhne said. “I had a lot of girls fill up their sheets. They had fun with it.”