Middleton, Fla. – For the second consecutive season, The Villages High School girls tennis team is off to a tremendous start this spring.

The Buffalo enter today's home match with First Academy (3:30 p.m.) with a 6-1 record, with each of their last three victories coming by way of a clean 7-0 sweep.

"I am very happy with the way the girls have come out strong in the beginning of their season," said VHS tennis head coach Kelly Hill. "I knew they were strong and have been working hard in the offseason, as well as now. I told them they would have a challenging and ambitious schedule this season to push them to be their best."

The squad has done just that, the majority of which are returning players from another strong start a year ago. VHS opened with seven straight wins to kick off the 2025 season, before ultimately finishing with an 9-4 mark overall.

This year's team features 11 returning players – including four starters and a pair of seniors in Hannah Campbell and Erika Brandner – which Hill says has proven to be a valuable asset to her team's solid start this season.

"I have noticed that there is significant growth between the junior and senior year of tennis," Hill said. "These girls are definitely comfortable on the court and make shots more consistently and precisely."

Brandner and Campbell have spearheaded the effort in the top two positions in the Buffalo lineup, with each taking on the leadership roles in ways that have made their head coach proud.

"Erika is playing with more patience this year and variation in her game," Hill explained. "She has shown and been successful in not hitting every shot with power. She has a strong forehand cross court corner shot that can be hard to return. Hannah has been a big contributor to the team. She brings patience, consistency and adaptability to her game. She can play with strategy and skill, and I have been very impressed with her this season so far."

All of the girls success has come while Hill has also took over head coaching duties for the VHS boys tennis team, as well, leading both squads after the departure of Joe Hornstein as the boys head coach.

"I really couldn't do it without the help of my two assistant coaches Bob Hammond (girls) and Lowell Stockman (boys)," Hill said. "I have really enjoyed having both teams this year. I feel like we are one big team/family. The girls are supporting the boys and vice versa. It makes me proud that we have a great group of kids that are encouraging, mentoring and challenging each other on both courts."


Cody Hills can be reached for questions or comment via email at cody.hills@tvcs.org.