The tennis program at Oakdale High School added another level on top of its already solid foundation by sending 12 competitors to the state match held last week on the campus of the University of Louisiana in Monroe.
Camryn Bullock and Daniel Rodriguez were state quarterfinalists in boys’ doubles, Dawson Noblitt and Tyheim Waller finished in the Round of 16 in boys’ doubles, Madeline Jarnagin and Lexi Hankla finished in the Round of 16 in girls’ doubles, and LaKayla Simmons and Jayden Hartley also finished in the Round of 16 in girls’ doubles.
Tasked with building the program to this point was coach Zealon Solomon. Before the team left for Monroe, he reflected on the past season.
“This has been a very unexpectedly good season overall,” he said. “I didn’t think we would get 29 matches in, and then we went 28-1 in those matches.”
The record stands out more considering Oakdale played more 5A and 4A schools than seasons before. Solomon added about the season, “Our seniors and upperclassmen really stepped it up. We defended both titles at Regionals. This is just by far a very impressive group of kids. They put in a ton of work to get to where they are.”
Also contributing to the season were a number of new players including from the freshman class. Three of these freshman went on to state, and that number was the most ever.”
As Solomon explained, all of these accomplishments are a testament to where the program has come over the past five years since he got on campus.
“We’ve essentially developed a full-fledged program with our players, our parents, and our volunteers,” he commented. “We’ve built a program that is sustainable, and we’ve modeled it based off of other schools we’ve seen under similar circumstances.”
“Just to see the growth from who we play, how we play, to hear from other coaches and teams and fans makes us know what we’ve built is solid, strong, well respected, and well received.”
Over Solomon’s five years, his teams have amassed a record of 92-8. “Just to see the consistency that even though we lost great players and talent over the years,” he expressed, “we’ve had players ready to step up and fill those shoes as each year goes on.”
Two of those players who have filled the shoes of those who came before are girls’ captain LaKayla Simmons and boys’ captain Daniel Rodriguez.
“With us having so many freshmen,” said Simmons, “you wouldn’t think they would be as good as they are now. To see them grow over the past season is just great.”
For Simmons, reaching state again this year means “a lot because I can go back and try to win state and get that title.”
Rodriguez said about the season, “It’s been great. It’s good to see everybody progress throughout the year and get all the wins we have gotten.”
He concluded with his thoughts on what the tennis program means to the school and the city as a whole. “It helps represent Oakdale,” he said. “We’re something to compete with in tennis. We’re not just Oakdale. We’re bringing competition.”
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