Dexter's 2008 Lady Bearcats Tennis Team

An old face around the Dexter High School tennis courts returns in a new role this season as long-time boys tennis coach Leanne Dooley assumes the head coaching position for the Lady Bearcats in 2008.

Dooley assumes a team that finished 3-8 last season and lost four starters to graduation, including one half of last year's double team that finished with an impressive 16-1 record and a Class 1, District 2 double championship. With the number of players out for the team down, one could flip a coin in predicting how the season will play out.

"I don't have big numbers, and I lost -- well I didn't lose, the team lost -- four graduating seniors that played varsity, so that is kind of rough," coach Dooley states. "I've got two returning starters that seem to be doing really well, in Katelyn (Heil) she was number two last year, and Catherine (Kinchen), who I think played five or six, she bounced around a little bit."

Heil will move up to the number one position for the Lady 'Cats this season, but she'll miss her doubles partner from last season, Amanda Dooley. The pair were nearly flawless last season as they marched to a district title.

Kinchen returns for her sophomore season and should be much improved with a year's experience. Juli Bell returns for her senior season, while new comer Jill Temples will play her first season of tennis as a senior. Temples is a standout for the Lady Bearcats basketball team and should catch on quickly.

"I've got athleticism," Dooley commented. "I've actually got six girls that can hit a ball, and even the two freshmen that showed up this year have worked really hard and are starting to hit the ball better. What I'm lacking is varsity match experience. We're going to suffer there a little bit there until we get going (into the season).

"I just don't exactly what to expect yet," she continued. "One advantage we might have is that some or our major rivals, I don't really know about Poplar Bluff, but I do know that Sikeston lost four of six graduated and Charleston lost four or five, so I think Katelyn should have a shot at district.

"I think if we can get over our heebe-jeebe's you know, our first matches, this, that and the others, we'll be okay," she added. "We've got to have the freshmen step up and play varsity, and that's tough, but they seem to be ready. Any time we opened the gates or even suggest we practice they're here and ready to go."

Dooley relinquished her tennis coaching position with the boys three years ago so she could enjoy the athletic success of her daughter, Amanda, who excelled at softball, a sport that conflicted with boys tennis.

"I watched Amanda play softball for three years," Dooley commented. "I didn't get to watch much her freshman year, but I got to watch the other three years and I don't regret that. But coaching boys and coaching girls, just like raising boys and raising girls, is quite a bit different. You've got to watch what you say, and when you say it and how you say it, you know? But when they step out here on the court, they all want to do the best they can do. So far we've had no issues, we've had no rash of injuries, so things are going relatively smooth so far."

The team is currently going through the challenge phase of practice to see where the players will compete and how the doubles teams will be made up.

Dexter opens the season at home Sept. 2 (Tuesday) against Charleston. Matches will start at 4 o'clock.