TENNIS ANYONE

Williamsburg High School is adding a new sport…Tennis.
“We are very excited about the establishment of a girls’ tennis program here at Williamsburg High School,” said Athletic Director Gary Peters. “We had a group of parents approach the administration and inform us that enough interest existed and asked if we would pursue researching the possibility.”
“Through our annual Title IX student survey, and our constant communication with this nucleus of parents, we determined that we would begin the process,” added Peters. “We would like to thank the students and parents for their patience, and believe that everyone will be pleased with how everything has transpired.”
Superintendent Denny Byrd added. “There was an interest there after we concluded our survey and found there was a group interested in the tennis program.”
“Any time you start a new program you want to be patient and try to get the very best person you can to start a program and through the good Lord I met a fellow that I had known years ago that had an outstanding tennis program at Corbin. Coach (Curt) Hart,” said Byrd.
“It just so happens that he had a daughter at Cumberlands that played tennis,” Byrd said. “She has played very much tennis and is a certified instructor and we made contact and she has agreed to come on board to start our tennis program.”
“We are extremely excited to start our tennis program at Williamsburg,” said Byrd. “Right now, we know there is an interest with the girls, but we plan to open it up with the boys and see what kind of interest there is,” he said. “Coach (Nikkie) Dugger has agreed to look at both and Mrs. Maria Harrison is going to be our faculty sponsor. We are ready to jump in and get going.”
Dugger is no stranger to the tennis scene, having been a key member of the Corbin varsity team that won three consecutive 13th region titles from 2002-2004. She was the two-time 13th region doubles champion in 2003 and 2004.
Dugger was fourth place in USTA Ryan Holder State Qualifying Tournament in 2002. She signed and played tennis for the University of the Cumberlands in 2005 and 2006 where she was All Mid-South Conference in doubles in 2006 and Honorable Mention in 2005. She was Honorable Mention singles in 2006, but injuries and a heavy class load made her give up the sport on the collegiate level.
Dugger had become a ranked professional instructor in teaching test, drill test, written test and error-detection. She is an associate instructor in stroke demonstration. She worked last summer at Van Der Meet Tennis Academy in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Dugger said she is excited about starting the new program at Williamsburg. “We’ll start by seeing who is interested and start at the beginning,” she said. “The new kids are more eager to learn and that will make my job a lot easier.”
Dugger said middle school and high school students are welcome to come out for the team. “We will be open to all students.”
She is presently working on putting together the first schedule for WHS. “I have talked to a few coaches about getting games scheduled,” said Dugger.
“We feel extremely fortunate to have secured a coach with such an extensive background both as a player and an instructor,” said Peters. “Any time we can provide additional opportunities for our students, whether they are academic or athletic, we will do everything possible to make them happen.”