The tennis season is already set for first serve. Here are the outlooks for the local programs according to their head coaches.

BANKS

Coach: Ben Thacker
2025 Girls: 13-9 (Region 4th), Sweet 16
2025 Boys: 16-7 (Region 3rd), Elite 8, #8 Rank

Sam Ledford (20-3, BLITZ POY) and Canyon Boswell (18-4) anchor the boys, who also return Carter Oliver, Eli Castonguay, Isaac Perdue, and Cohen Vitug. “We return six of seven from our varsity lineup last year,” says Thacker. “All of our guys have worked really hard this off season with the goal to take our playoff run further than last year. The way all of them have competed and worked to prepare for this season is impressive.”

The girls have returning talents Taylor Suggs, Nia Andrews & Annie Davis (15-5), Ryleigh Evans & Faith Payne (15-6), and Bella Barrett. “On the girls side, we lost our 1- & 2-singles from last year, but we have a solid core of upperclassmen, as well as really motivated underclassmen. From a depth standpoint we should be in a good place, and I think our girls can make another good run in the post season.”

COMMERCE

Coach: Charlie Smith
2025 Girls: 13-3 (Region RU *Regular Season Champs), Sweet 16, #9 Rank
2025 Boys: 9-7 (Region 4th), Sweet 16

The Lady Tigers had an incredible season and Sweet 16 run. SR Lily Sears at 1-singles was 15-0 and the Region POY, while Olivia Forrester (15-1) is also back from 3-singles. “The 2025 season was full of challenges, even from the very beginning,” says Smith. “Our starting lineup was totally unproven. Our three seniors had never started in their positions and our three freshman starters had never played in a high school match. But, we came together as a team to support and encourage each other. Early season success was helpful in building our confidence and by the end of the region schedule we were regular season champions. This season I will challenge our team to continue to believe that they can compete with anyone. I can’t guarantee where we will finish this season, but I can guarantee we’re going to have a great time doing it with good music, good food, and great competition. We’re ready to roll!”

Meanwhile, the boys also made a Sweet 16 run. Back this season are Mason and Jackson Brown (13-3 at 1-doubles), and Jude Forrester (11-5) as well. “Last season didn’t end the way we wanted in the region or region/state tournament, but I would still consider it as one of the most enjoyable years I have had as a coach,” adds Smith. “No matter what, my boys stayed positive, encouraging, and energetic throughout the entire season. They were a blessing to me personally, even if they didn’t know it. We graduated five seniors last year and they will be truly missed. That said, my three juniors are ready to lead this 2026 team with that same energy and enthusiasm. I can’t wait to get started!”

DAWSON

Coach: Laura Ledbetter & Logan Allen
2025 Girls: 8-9 (Region 3rd), RND 1
2025 Boys: 8-9 (Region 3rd), Sweet 16

We reached out for season preview information, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

FRANKLIN

Coach: Matthew Cearbaugh
2025 Girls: ??
2025 Boys: ??

We reached out for season preview information, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

HABERSHAM CENTRAL

Coach: Makayla Ryals & Ric Wallace
2025 Girls: 7-8 (Region 3rd), RND 1
2025 Boys: 13-4 (Region RU), Sweet 16

We reached out for season preview information, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

JEFFERSON

Coach: Kimberly Boswell & CJ Weaver
2025 Girls: ??, Elite 8, #8 Rank
2025 Boys: 6-8 (Region 3rd), RND 1

The boys bring back Conner Mantooth (SR #2 Doubles), JR #3 Singles Davis Eason, and SO #2 Singles Bryce Jenkins. “Our team is ready to compete again for a top-3 finish in region play,” says Weaver. “Both Oconee and Cherokee Bluff had really strong/deep lineups last year. Both made Final Four runs. We lost a couple starters to graduation, but fortunately we have a couple new guys ready to step in and fill those spots. This season I feel my guys are more prepared and understand their roles. I’m looking forward to competing with this team.”

We reached out for season preview information for the girls, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

LUMPKIN

Coach: Paul Hogan & Paul Hoch
2025 Girls: 6-11 (Region 5th), No Playoffs
2025 Boys: 17-5 (Region RU), Elite 8, #8 Rank

“We went through some transitions last year; we had a strong run late in the season, but we did not qualify for state playoffs,” says Hogan of the girls team. “We intend to be a much improved team this year, particularly after some work in the off-season. This team has more maturity and more confidence, particularly after a strong finish at the end of the season last year. This. group has something to prove.” The girls return Ashtyn Piper, Ruthie Hubbard (6-7), Addeline Antonia (11-2), Khloe Gooch & Cecilia Woody (6-1), and Serena Pomphile-Huerta.

We reached out for season preview information for the boys team, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

RABUN

Coach: Bryan Getty
2025 Girls: 14-6 (Region 3rd), Elite 8, #8 Rank
2025 Boys: 14-5 (Region RU), Elite 8, #8 Rank

The Lady Wildcats had a stellar Elite 8 run a year ago, and bring back SR Caroline Marshall (17-2 at 1-doubles last year). “I hope to earn a top-4 position within the region and earn a top-16 seed in the state playoff bracket based on PSR,” says Getty on his goals for the girls. The boys also had an Elite 8 – the first in school history. Top players Lleyton Phillips (1-singles each of last two years), and Brady Darnell (1-doubles last two years) are back, so that’s huge. “It is my hope that our boys can earn a Top-2 finish in region again, and a top-8 seed in the state playoffs. I hope that we can advance to the Final Four or better this season.”

“The 2026 season is one I have high hopes for,” adds Getty. “We are returning some experienced players and adding some as 9th graders that will contribute to our varsity teams. We lost two key contributors on our girls team to graduation from last year, and one more so she could focus more on basketball, so we will have several new girls playing in lineup positions this season. For our boys, we only graduated one from last year’s team, and we’ve had depth these last two seasons with a strong group of junior players, plus we’ve added a very experienced freshman, so I’m hopeful we could see an improved season from last year for the boys. We will have less depth for both the boys and girls to start our season, however, because we have several players that will be busy with basketball/cheer until that season ends.”

STEPHENS

Coach: Debby Williams & Donny Williams
2025 Girls: 16-5 (Region RU), Elite 8, #8 Rank
2025 Boys: 15-6 (Region 3rd), Sweet 16

Both teams had great success last year with Donny and Debby Williams leading the program. The Indians lost four All-Region players from a Sweet 16 run, though SR Jaron Jones is back as the top singles player. “We’ve been practicing and preparing for seven months in order to replace our key personnel,” says Donny Williams. The Lady Indians are fresh off their best season ever with an Elite 8 run. They lost three All-Region players, and underclassmen will have to step up to fill the shoes of those who graduated.

TALLULAH FALLS

Coach: Anthony Cox
2025 Girls: 14-1 (Region Champs), Final 4, #3 Rank
2025 Boys: 16-2 (Region Champs), State RU, #2 Rank

We reached out for season preview information, but did not receive a response at the time of publishing.

WHITE

Coach: Luke Davidson
2025 Girls: 9-4 (Region 3rd), Sweet 16
2025 Boys: 1-9 (Region 7th), No Playoffs

The girls lost nearly all their top players from the last couple of years, but back is Mattie Browning to anchor the lineup at 1-singles and Abbigail Clayton as well. “The goal for the girls is to maintain a strong region finish and state entry,” says Davidson. The boys have 1-singles Caleb Causey who will lead the team. “We aim for improvement in region finish, and a possible state playoff entry for the boys,” adds Davidson.

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