The McIntosh Lady Chiefs are well on their way to another successful season boasting two tournament championships, two big wins over a local rival and a #1 regional ranking. The girls are undefeated in the region with a 13-0 record.

They placed first at the PTC Invitational and Granger Invitational tournaments this year.
Last year, after a third place finish at state, the team lost six graduating seniors and the Fayette County Player of the Year. This year a young team hopes to fulfill a dream and bring home the state championship. “Last year we left an impression but this year we are the team to beat,” stated Coach Jane Karcz.

New players to the team include freshman power hitter Chelsea Utting whose sheer strength has proven a formidable challenge to every opponent. “Chelsea’s spitfire attitude on the court makes her fierce,” said Coach Kristine Doyle.

Packing a one-two punch is last year’s dominant player, sophomore Marybeth Black. At singles Black consistently outplays her opponents with grace and finesse. Her win over Kourtney Kowal, her best friend and hitting partner, at the PTC Invitational was a true testament to her classy style of play.

“It is never easy to play a friend, especially one that knows your weaknesses as much as you know hers, but it really made the match exciting,” Black said after her third set victory.

In addition to the power the girl’s team boasts, is the depth of the team’s ladder in technical skill and athletic ability. Junior Kendall Wilde has the versatility to play singles and doubles and hasn’t dropped a match at either position. Sofia Koval, a sophomore, has also seen action in singles and doubles proving to be a strong competitor after winning back-to-back tiebreaker sets at the Invitational. Junior Rachel Adlington played a solid #3 singles at the Granger Invitational where the team won 5-0 in the finals. Juniors Courtney Rollings, Kali Cuny and senior Lauren Knapp have also been successful in match play this season.

The doubles team of freshman Stephanie Halpern and sophomore Kelsey Paone has secured wins at both tournaments and appear to be creating a spectacular pairing.

“It is always difficult to find a pairing that can come together quickly and perform well in the early part of the season. For Stephanie and Kelsey it came very easily,” commented Doyle.
Senior Captains Lyndsi Tufte and Emma Fisher provide the strength and leadership at the #2 doubles position.

“Other teams usually have strong players but they don’t develop the team aspect of the sport. We seem to have more fun than anyone else and maybe that is why we keep winning,” stated Tufte.

The McIntosh Chiefs boys tennis team has an outstanding season underway.

The boys are 4 -1 in region play and 5-2 overall. With two tournaments under their belts the Chiefs made it to the semi-finals of the Peachtree City High School Invitational where they lost to Heritage High School. They won the consolation round of the Granger Invitational Tournament after being beaten 3-2 by 3rd place North Gwinnett High School in the main draw.
The boys’ team is led by senior captain Will Truex and junior captain Jonathon Emmet. The senior lineup includes Michael Lacour, Josh Thompson and Kyle Koonce. Junior players Kent Dunson, Alex Parton and Davy Widtfeldt continue to add depth to the team. Up and coming sophomores Matt Thompson and Austin Tilton have played extremely well this season and three promising freshmen: Femi Brinson, Stewart Weisheit and Michael Wehde round out the team.

Next Tuesday both McIntosh teams face Starr’s Mill at the Peachtree City Tennis Center at 4:30 p.m. The match is free to the public.

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