Parkers Chapel will enter the tennis season as the reigning 2A state champion in both girls and boys. The Lady Trojans have won five state titles in a row, all under Coach Casey Rapp.
Rapp stepped down after last season to start the tennis program at South Arkansas College. Julie Battisto will take over the program, which has high expectations.
What’s it like taking over a championship team?
“In two words – terrifying and humbling,” said Battisto. “I have so much respect for Casey. He’s a good friend and was a favorite colleague. My middle son has played for Casey since his freshman year and was devastated to not have him as coach his senior season.
“I had no plans to coach tennis but when a few of the returning players, including my two sons, asked me, I couldn’t turn it down. In a weird twist of life, I am now coaching for a program of which I was on the very first team 33 years ago.”
Battisto said she will lean on Rapp’s experience early on as she attempts to keep Parkers Chapel at the top of 2A tennis.
“I constantly ask Casey for advice and he has promised he would never abandon me or this team if we needed him,” she said.
“I constantly feel the pressure of keeping this team at the top. My philosophy is to always approach every game as the underdog and show them we deserve a place at the top.”
The Lady Trojans graduated a host of seniors, including three All-Staters, but return Tatum Watson, who earned All-State last year as a doubles player. Watson will be playing singles this season.
The Lady Trojans’ top four girls are Watson, Eva Goodwin, Krista Rivers and Zonasia Pumphrey along with Tessa Tanner, Lexie Morgan, Delaney Mason, Janelle Drummond, Anniston Gilmore and Jade Stewart.
The top boys 1-6 are: Jordis Battisto, Jack Battisto, Brayden Latino, Ayden Rainwater, Parker Thomas and Reynolds Carter along with Christian Word, Drew Mason, Landen Rivers and Carter Braswell.
“The new talent on this team is absolutely incredible. There is no limit to what they can achieve,” said Coach Battisto. “I am impressed at every practice by someone who has upped their game in some way. There is no one I would count out when it comes to success on the court. My returning players are even better than they were last year and I have some unexpected additions on the girls’ side in Krista Rivers and Zo Pumphrey that make me smile every time I see them play.”
Parkers Chapel’s roster will feature a lot of young players, new to varsity tennis. The coach said she’s been pleased with the leadership shown by the upperclassmen.
“Tatum Watson and (Eva) Goodwin are amazing mentors to all my young and new female athletes,” she said. “Jordis and Jack Battisto have the drive to be the best but always have the time to put in extra work with the new male players. As a coach and parent, I couldn’t be prouder of how they meet up and hit for hours with other guys without me asking.
“I watched the team that was heavy with senior talent last year, for the last three years and I, at first, was very intimidated with rebuilding this team with mostly new, young talent. But I am never disappointed by what I see from this team on the court. Every single player from 1 to 10 and beyond have an important role to play on this team, and everyone brings their own facet of talent with them.”
A team with a new coach, an unproven roster and a target on its back?
“The goal for this team? I have so many. It’s pretty hard to narrow it down,” Battisto said. “Every player is placed where they are with who they will compete against at the state level in mind. I am always analyzing who I think will be the most effective where. So I guess my number one goal is to put them in a position where they can prove to themselves and all their competition that they are a new team but they have the talent for success.”
Parkers Chapel opens the season Aug. 20 at Fordyce.
