LAST SEASON: The record was so-so - 7-7-2 overall and 4-2-2 in conference play - but the 2024 Rockets did something very special by winning the first Greater Muskegon Athletic Association Tournament championship in program history. That put the Rockets at the top of the hill in Muskegon County high school girls tennis. The Rockets also finished fourth at regionals, which was their best result ever at that level.
POTENTIAL STARTING SINGLES LINEUP: Junior Olivia Smith (No. 1), junior Hope Latsch (No. 2); junior Molly Matz (No. 3); senior Mylie Neel (No. 4). Smith and Latsch were the No. 1 doubles team last year, and will move up to the top of the singles lineup. Matz and Neel are both returning singles players who finished strong last season and will try to maintain their momentum.
POTENTIAL STARTING DOUBLES LINEUP: Seniors Malania Eilers and Gabby Borgeson (No. 1); seniors Lauren Matz and Elana Weiden (No. 2); sophomore Jayla Brink and junior Kayla Smith (No. 3); sophomores Ava Dietz and Kaitlyn Durow (No. 4). Eilers and Borgeson will be playing for the fourth straight year as doubles partners, this time at the top of the lineup. Brink and Kayla Smith are breaking into the lineup after playing junior varsity last year.
Last year's GMAA tournament championship team.
OTHER LIKELY VARSITY PLAYERS: Seniors Madison Hutchison and Emma Dvorak; sophomores Bryrlee Griffons and Grace Cosens; freshmen Lauren Slater and Ellie Woodrum.
ROSTER BREAKDOWN BY CLASS: Seven seniors, four juniors, five sophomores and two freshmen.
CONFERENCE OPPOSITION: With several new schools in the O-K Green this year, R-P Coach Ryan Hankinson is waiting to see who's really good, but says that newcomers Byron Center, Jenison and Caledonia will probably be strong, as well as traditional rival Mona Shores.
FIRST MATCHES: March 22 at Hope College against various opponents, March 29 at Zeeland West against various opponents.
SEASON OUTLOOK: The Rockets have the depth and experience to more than absorb the loss of three seniors, including top singles players Brooke Titus and Olivia Harris. The singles lineup should be very solid, particularly if Smith and Latsch are successful in their transition from doubles to singles. The doubles lineup will be a little less experienced, but will have a great anchor at No. 1 with Eilers and Borgeson playing together for the fourth straight year. R-P could have the weapons to contend for another GMAA title, and could be a wildcard contender in the O-K Green conference race.
COACH QUOTE: "As a coach I am as excited as ever with the strength and stability of the program. I'm also excited to see if a repeat at (the GMAA) could be in the cards for the team, also." - Ryan Hankinson