Viking Tennis is ready for final SAC season

After winning 42 conference championships in the school’s 58 seasons of men’s tennis,

largely with skilled upperclassmen, Union Pines’ 2025 squad will rely heavily on sophomores

who are transitioning into the upper reaches of match play.

Graduated is all-conference senior Joey Tortora who won 52 career matches and teamed

with Lane McPherson to win last season’s conference doubles title, advancing to the regional

championships. Landon Patterson who had 12 wins likewise is graduated.

Along with Lane McPherson (20-11), fellow sophomores Tucker Lloyd (18-13), Jace

McPherson (20-11) and Dominic Roett (24-6), also return. They will be joined by juniors Cam

Deibel and Patrick Kavanagh (5-4), and freshmen Sawyer Manning and Nate Welsh.

Jace McPherson teamed with Lloyd as freshmen finishing as conference tournament doubles

runners-up, and Roett is the conference singles champion. The five finalists were regional

qualifiers and Lane and Jace McPherson, along with Lloyd were chosen all-conference.

Diebel (26-23) is a two-year starter and over the span has gained valuable experience.

Kavanagh is lacking match play experience, but is eager and learning the game.

Welsh is new to the game, but has advanced rapidly in recent sessions. Manning was a

strong performer at New Century Middle School last year and appears ready to compete for

considerable playing time.

Players have had a good off-season with serves, overheads, and volleys much improved. If

we can consistently push the points and develop doubles skills, we look to be competitive and

position ourselves for a run at conference, regional, and state honors.

Contributed