By Justin Sokeland
WBIW.com
BEDFORD – When Bedford North Lawrence coach Joni Stigall starts writing names on her lineup card for the 2024 season opener, every spot is projected to be filled by a senior. So on the scale of 1-10, the Stars will be 12s. That’s the known factor. The current unknown is exactly where those names will appear in the singles and doubles categories.
Two of the slots are locked down by returning veterans. The rest will be sorted and shifted as BNL starts official practice sessions for the upcoming campaign.
Stigall will start at the top and work her way down. Becca Epping is back at No.1 singles, while the successful duo of Kenley Craig and Izzy Alldredge will make the move up one spot to No.1 doubles. From that point, the fallout from competition over the next two weeks will determine the positions.
“I really want to have it done by the end of this week,” said Stigall, who guided the Stars to a 10-8 record last season. “I want to see who we have and where they can go. Only four of the seniors have had any real experience, so we have spots up for grabs.”
Craig and Alldredge went undefeated in 20 matches last year at No.2 doubles. They will have to raise their games to match the promotion.
“We know they are a great doubles team, but two doubles is a big difference from No.1,” Stigall said. “I think they’re ready, but they will be a little bit surprised by the jump.”
Epping and Nadia Anderson (who suffered a devastating knee injury last season) will be counted on in singles, and Ava McKinney (a Brownstown transfer who played No.1 singles for the Braves in 2022) shows promise with her quickness and athleticism. If that trio works out, that leaves the No.2 doubles spot to be completed.
“Becca works non-stop,” Stigall said. “She seems very less stressed this year. She knows what she’s doing, and I look for her to be much happier, for her game to come much easier. She is always getting better. She absolutely has the ability, she has the tennis skill. We have to get her mind to catch up with her physical ability.
“Nadia is coming back from injury and we’re taking this week to figure out where we want her, if she’s ready for singles, or she might need to see some doubles. She’s been moving much better, so we’re taking the next few days to play some matches, figuring out where people are landing.
The Stars will host Barr-Reeve in the opener on April 1.
