The 2026 tennis season is here, and area programs are swinging into action with a mix of postseason aspirations. From veteran rosters to up-and-coming rosters with new talent, here’s a look at what each team brings to the court this spring.
Apollo: Apollo enters the season with a plethora of new faces, but the boys return Nolan Duke, Ben Halbig, and Hser Soe. The E-Gals will be led by their top doubles team of Elise Wilson and Jessie Pate, while they are supported by Erin McManus, Madison Ebelhar, Adelyn Dilback, and Anna Dilback.
There are plenty of young up and coming athletes to keep an eye on including Ella Belt, Hser Moo, Layla Parker, Ruthie Layson, Aarya Patel, Navya Patel, and Eh Loh.
“I want to see us improve every match,” Apollo Head Coach Janie Walther said. “I also want to get some of the top players to State.”
Daviess County: In his second year as head coach, Dylan McDuffee wants to see his girls’ team defend their 3rd Region title. The Lady Panthers return, who McDuffee referred to as two of the best singles players in the Region, in Emmie Kate Williams and Jenna Faulkner.
“The doubles pairings of Boswell/Dever, and Meyer/Salamah will be a key to winning some close matches,” McDuffee said. “Claire Dunlay has taken a giant leap forward this past offseason. She has been training a lot and can command the court.”
On the boys’ side, Landon McDuffee and Eli Bivens are poised for big years, and they will be joined by up-and-comer Nathan Kafer.
“I would love to see Landon win region this year,” McDuffee said. “He will have tough competition, but we can do it. On the girls’ side, I would love for our team as a whole to win the Region back-to-back. I feel like our team has only gotten better, and I would like us to make the semi-finals of Team State.”
Hancock County: Over the off-season, multiple athletes competed in Center Court sessions, which Head Coach Dan Hopkins hopes pays off. Lukas Anderson and Ella Chappell return to lead the Hornets and Lady Hornets’ in singles
Owensboro: The boys’ team did not respond by the time of publication.
Lady Devils: It is a new era for Lady Devils tennis, as Libby Johnson was named the programs’ new head coach.
“I am a long-time OPS employee, a parent, and a fan of all Red Devils’ sports,” Johnson said. “So, I am just happy to help where I can.”
A young roster filled with multi-sport athletes, the Lady Devils are led by Anna Travis, Carsyn Cecil, and Alexandra Cecil.
“They are a great group of girls with high energy, and are willing to work,” Johnson said. “…Our goal is always to represent OHS to the best of our ability, and to be competitive. …We are hoping to place at the Regional Tournament and to be competitive against everyone we play. We also want to improve as the season goes on.”
Owensboro Catholic: Branden Haines has been named the new head coach of Owensboro Catholic’s boys’ team, and the Aces started the season with a bang – going 3-0 in the Elizabethtown Jam Freeman Tournament.
The Aces return six of their seven starters from last year, including senior Luke Pfeifer, sophomore Joseph Merchant, freshmen Jack Haines and Ben Haines, and eighth graders Henry Haines and Ollie Haines.
“After last year’s final four run, the standard has been set,” Haines said. “The semifinal match against Dunbar came down to a tiebreaker and about as narrow a margin as you’ll see in tennis. With continued discipline and daily commitment to practice, we expect to make a deep run.”
With Noel Clayton having retired, Audie Moyers and Stacie Moyers have been named as the head coach of the Lady Aces. They will be led by Madison Clark and Meredith Traylor, while Alexis Moyers, Gabrielle Moyers, Sophia Merchant, and Mary Grace Edge all return.
“Last season, we did win the 3rd Region Doubles Championship,” Audie Moyers said. “We are young with zero seniors, but we have some experience. We have several players who spent the off-season playing at Centre Court and participating in tennis events and tournaments to help get ready for the season.”
