The Greene Central men's varsity team began a rebuild last year, adding athletic freshmen to a thin lineup. But the young group found their way, steadily improving under Coach Tim Medlin and Assistant Coach Kenny Kornegay. By season's end, junior William Drake had won the East Regional Singles championship and advanced to the State semi-final; freshmen Sam Avent and Nick Avent had won the East Regional Doubles championship and won a match at States; and the team had risen to #9 in the final 2A poll.
Only one lineup senior was lost, and the top three players from a solid middle school program bring more athletic, experienced youth to the 2024 varsity squad. There's plenty of learning to do with only one senior (Drake) and the rest of the team sophomores and freshmen. But with a State-contender in Drake, defending doubles champs, and young athletes eager to learn, Greene Central hopes to live up to its reputation, and build on the #9 finish from last year.
The 2024 season has had some bumps and bruises, but also some cause for enthusiasm. Champ Sam Avent has not yet been able to play due to injury. The second half of that doubles championship, brother Nick Avent, was only recently cleared from knee surgery, but has looked very solid. Some newcomers are nursing tendonitis and coming to grips with how intense varsity tennis is at Greene Central. But the team has started bu winning 2 or 3 outings against tough competition. In the Downeast Challenge scrimmage, the Rams lost to Wilson Fike, last year's #5 ranked 3A team who returned everyone and added a brilliant freshman. The Rams competed well and then bounced back to defeat 4A DH Conley 5-4 with a come from behind finish not often expected from a young team. In the opening regular season match the Rams defeated 3A South Central 5-4, with freshmen earning match MVP honors for decisive wins 6-4 7-5 and 7-6 7-5 against older opponents.
With Sam Avent expected to return to the lineup in another week, and other nagging injuries hopefully fading, the young Greene Central team looks to gain momentum. The tough schedule will challenge them, make them stronger, and bolster the team's RPI. The coaches look forward to the journey.
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