The 2024-2025 Galion varsity girls tennis team.
Courtesy | Photorama
Head tennis coach Terry Gribble and his team are stepping onto the court this season with a wealth of experience and high expectations.
Last year, only two seniors graduated from the team, leaving behind players with substantial playing time and experience. This season will be Gribble’s 15th as coach, making him the longest-tenured head coach at Galion High School.
As the Lady Tigers prepare for the upcoming season, Gribble highlights Ashley Franks as a key player to watch.
“She’ll be our number one player this year,” Gribble said. “She’s a junior, and she’s been on our team since she was a freshman. She’s made big strides her first two years, so we anticipate she’ll have a good season this year.”
Gribble’s other standout player is an underclassman – sophomore Mya Roelle. Gribble said she has a “bright future” and praised her athleticism and potential.
Franks and Roelle will team up for doubles this year, with Gribble holding high expectations for the pair.
“I hope that Mya and Ashley can do well in our tournaments,” he said. “We play in the Bucyrus Invitational and the Madison Invitational. Those two (Franks and Roelle) actually won the Madison Invitational last year, so I’m hoping that they can repeat that this year.”
If the girls perform well in both tournaments, they will compete together at the Mid-Ohio Athletic Conference (MOAC) and sectional tournaments.
But Gribble’s returning players aren’t the only ones to watch. A new addition to the team, Kaylee Evans, brings experience from outside the Galion program.
“She’s had some experience in the past, not on our team, but she’s played in the past. We’re definitely excited about what she can contribute to us,” Gribble said.
Last season, the Lady Tigers went 6-11, but Gribble said his goal for the girls this year is to achieve a .500 record.
“We have a lot of depth,” Gribble said, expressing his optimism for the level of skill his players bring this season.
Hannah Bryan is a correspondent for the Galion Inquirer. She can be reached at [email protected].
