The new coach is passionate about tennis

First-year Siloam Springs head coach Clay Taylor is no stranger to the sport.

Taylor, a native of Fayetteville, began playing tennis at an early age, played for four years at Fayetteville High and is now responsible for the Siloam Springs tennis program.

This school year is his third year as a teacher in the Siloam Springs school district, but his first as a coach.

Taylor said she loves tennis and the hours of life and perspectives the sport can offer.

“I think some of the people who enjoy tennis the most are that it’s a lifelong sport,” Taylor said. “You have 80-year-old men and women who still play in different leagues and clubs. You can play it your whole life. I really enjoy its individuality. If you don’t play singles, I was a single player. For most of my high school career that I’m on your side of the field and doing your own things. It taught me a lot of great skills. Hand-eye coordination is really important in tennis, of course. It keeps you really fit. It’s a great sport. “

Taylor will host a tennis tournament for Scott Wright, who was a tennis educator for 10 seasons and will remain a teacher in the area.

Taylor is assisted by volunteer Kelly Junkermann, who has helped with the Siloam Springs tennis program in recent years.

“That’s great. I can’t be thankful enough that someone is here to give me some information about coaching because I’ve never coached,” Taylor said. “I’ve never been just a player, so learning from him is great, there’s someone else here who knows the sport, it’s hitting with the kids, coaching the kids. Working together is always easier than working one at a time.”

Junkermann is happy to have Taylor join the program.

“You know what’s great for a coach if he shaves his beard, it almost looks like he could play on the team,” Junkermann joked. “So it’s good to have a good, young coach. A coach can also hit some of our top players because he’s a player, which really helps.

“He’s embraced the fact that we work together and make teamwork out of it, which is really nice. Scott did it too. It makes it even more harmonious. And because he’s played competitive tennis, he knows the sport, which is a huge plus.”

Taylor attended the University of Arkansas, where he received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She got her first teacher in Siloam Springs in the special education department, where she teaches English and social sciences together.

Although he has only been involved in a tennis program for a few weeks, he is already impressed.

“They’ve shown strong work ethic, not just the elderly,” Taylor said. “Around here, they work hard. It takes an adjustment to get used to a new coach, just like it adapts to me, an adaptation to coaching. Hopefully we get the gifts to work and we have a strong season.”