New WHS coach plans to keep net tradition going

The Wooster High girls tennis team has plenty to replace from the squad that went a perfect 7-0 in the Ohio Cardinal Conference.

Not only do the Generals have to make up for the loss of four letterwinners, but also they will have a new coach in 2023, as Cordell Smith has taken the reins from Justin Crooks.

This will be Smith’s first head coaching job.

“We plan on continuing the tradition that has been set the past three years as being a very competitive and highly successful program in the OCC,” Smith said.

One reason for Smith’s optimism is he has Ava Mathur at the top of his lineup.

Mathur, still just a junior, won a sectional title a year ago and advanced all the way to the state tournament. She will play first singles again this season.

“She will be our top player,” Smith said of his junior ace.

Beyond Mathur, Wooster has a trio of other returnees — seniors Alexia Kakanuru and Norah Carroll, who are tri-captains along with Mathur, and junior Megan Wyneski. Kakanuru will play second singles while Carroll and Wyneski are doubles players.

Three freshmen have arrived on the scene including Hailey Jung, who appears to be Smith’s pick to fill the third singles slot. Other ninth-graders are Elizabeth Frantz and Alyssa-Rae Mcintosh.

“Alexia Kakanuru is playing very well right now,” Smith said, “and one of our freshman, Hailey Jung, is right behind Alexia. She is also a very strong singles player and is playing very good tennis right now.

“Our strength as a team is going to be the leadership and talent from our high-end, experienced players along with the depth our new freshmen are bringing in to the program,” Smith said. “Our biggest challenge as a program this year is going to be determining how everyone fits in with all of the many options available.”

Wooster opened its season on Aug. 8 with an OCC match at Mansfield Senior. The Generals go to Perry on Aug. 11 and will head to Medina for a tournament on Aug. 12, then have a key OCC encounter at Ashland on Aug. 15.

The Generals will host Green on Senior Night on Sept. 27, then host the OCC Championships starting two days later on Sept. 29 at The College of Wooster.

“We have a lot of young talent coming up this year who have put a lot of work in during the offseason and are ready to go,” Smith said.