MURFREESBORO -- It’s the senior-laden, Baylor 2014 team vs. a young, talented Red Raider 2016 team with four starters back from the 2015 championship squad. Drew Hawkins and Ashton Jenne played on both squads.
Both teams have multiple state titles on their resume and victories at DecoTurf and Chattanooga Rotary.
It makes for good conversation so let’s look at the two squads
Baylor 2014 Baylor 2016
1 Samantha Caswell (Sr.) Drew Hawkins (Jr.)
2 Harper Caswell (Sr.) Karolina Hadaka (So.)
3 McCall Morgan Sr.) Presley Thomas (So.)
4 Maggie Crumbliss (Sr.) Lauren Carelli (So.)
5 Drew Hawkins (Fr.) Ashton Jenne (Jr.)
6 Ashton Jenne (Fr.) Lilly Mooney (So.)
Keys to the Win: No question the doubles point is crucial ... both teams are strong in doubles and the battle for that point will be exciting and make for great tennis.
The 2014 squad - with three seniors now playing college tennis – should win the doubles point and then rely on the seniors to get three more team points in singles.
This year’s squad really needs the doubles point and gain a couple of upsets in “toss up” matches in the top four, plus a win in the bottom half. Without the doubles point, upsets are a necessity for victory.
Followers of Baylor tennis can determine for themselves the toss up matches and which ones are good selections in the win column
2014 might feel pressure to beat their younger counterpart and 2014 should come out firing and would love to find their place in Baylor tennis history with a win.
One could sell tickets for this one.
Prediction: The 2014 squad should win 4-3.
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net