Last year, the varsity girls tennis team did remarkably well–making it all the way to the semi-finals–and they hope to go even further this year: to the state championship. Their chances are good,

not only because all but one player (Jodie Coble, who graduated last May) has returned for the 2024 season, but also because a new coach has brought renewed enthusiasm to the courts.

Coach Ellis Ramey is our newest addition to the tennis team, and his son, Stone (12th), is also attending RMA now and is a great addition to our soccer and tennis programs. Coach Ramey started playing tennis at age 5 and played in tournaments across the southeastern US. After playing at the collegiate level at Barton College in Wilson, he received his pro certificate and started working as an assistant and then head pro for tennis clubs in the area like Benvenue Country Club. With a wealth of tennis experience, all our players agree that he is a great fit for the team. Mary Powell Chesnutt (12th) says, “Coach Ramey makes practice and matches enjoyable and fun because he is always encouraging us to do our best.” As another member of the team, I can tell you that this is absolutely true and that Coach Ramey cares about more than just winning: he emphasizes kindness and the importance of playing with a good attitude. 

Coach Ramey has brought with him fun games to make the team enjoy the work they put in. The team plays games like “king of the court” where one player is king on one side and the challengers are on the other side. In this game, the challenger has to win 3 points, the first point as a groundstroke, the second point as a volley, and the third as an overhead. Whoever wins the most points takes the king’s side. The tennis team also loves to play music to hype them up for practice like Taylor Swift’s Reputation album. (Fun fact: Coach Ramey plays the drums in a band called Matty Begs.)

Also setting a great example this year are the multiple seniors on the team, including Abbie Hooks at 1 singles, Frances Tharin at 3 singles and 3 doubles with senior Grace Bone, Mary Powell Chestnut at 6 singles, and Isabella Daza at 7 singles. Isabella is also a new addition to our tennis team this year–she has always played soccer and basketball–and has benefited us with her athleticism.  Most of these seniors have played tennis since a very young age and are working hard to make their last tennis season at RMA memorable! 

Having already played nearly a dozen matches this season, the varsity team is excited to continue going strong and invites you to any (or all!) of our remaining matches. Just in the next couple of weeks, we play Greenfield (9/20), Harrells Christian Academy (9/24), and Fayetteville Academy (9/26). If you can only make it to one match this month, come to the game against Kerr Vance Academy on Monday 9/23, when we will honor our many seniors on the varsity team.