An unbreakable Lady Viking bond: Tennessee High girls tennis chasing title together

BRISTOL, Tenn. (WCYB) — For any successful team to flourish, it takes a certain 'it' factor to push them across the finish line and make it all fall into place.

For Tennessee High girls tennis that 'it' factor is each other - and the bond they have created with one another of the years.

While many high schools teams cycle through year in and year out, something about the Lady Vikings in 2024 stands out: the core chunk of them have played together on the same court for about a decade.

"We actually grew up playing on this court in clinics and stuff, so it’s really special to be playing with your best friends and coming this far," said senior, Torey Walk. "We’ve worked so hard for this. So it’s really special to be able to share it with them.”

And it's been a journey on the court for Walk and her longtime friend and teammate, Ellyson Kovacs, who have played together since third grade - setting the major building blocks for the rest of the tight-knit group as varsity stars.

"We’ve got to just grow up and play and grow together as teammates, as players, and this group is so special because we’re all close with each other," said Kovacs. "We kind of understand each other’s emotions and personalities and pretty much get through any match together.”

This tight bond on-and-off the court has also made it easier for sixth year head coach, Ellan Kitzmiller - who has been able to guide the group, but has allowed them to take the reigns and let their personalities show.

“I feel like this group of girls is much tighter as a team from top to bottom. We’ve had some great teams and they’ve always been close, but this one seems to be probably the closest of the groups that I’ve had," said Kitzmiller. "So I feel like they kind of just run the show. There’s so many things that a coach has to do but one thing I don’t feel like I have to do is tell them what to do every day. They’re very mature and they know what they want - and they’re just a special group of girls. Very talented.”

Following a District Championship win over Science Hill, the Lady Vikings now have their eyes set on regional as their next step in the quest towards a state title. As District 1 AA champs, the Vikes completed the goal of redemption over the Hilltoppers.

“Last year we got beat by them, close matches again. It’s always for the last five years, it’s been us and Science Hill going back and forth," added Kitzmiller. "Any of the courts could’ve gone different ways, but what I’m really pleased about is how our five and six singles came through for us where we might’ve had trouble the time before. That’s why this is just a special team. I think that they know they have each other’s back and if someone is not playing well, I think someone else is going to step up and do better than they would’ve thought they could."

For a group that has always been close, it took another offseason and regular season to really mesh as an older group, where the resiliency and accountability shined through - showing their true spirit as a unit.

“They’re extremely aggressive and they’re very tight knit," Kitzmiller said with a laugh. "I don’t think that anybody wants to let anybody down on this team. So, they’re going to keep working for not just themselves, but they’re going to keep working for each other and that’s what you want from a team.”

The Lady Vikings will take the courts the next two days in District singles and doubles before heading off to their regional destination later in the week with the state tournament on the line.