The Orange women’s tennis team will be the first local team in action for the 2025-2026 academic year. On Monday, the Lady Panthers will face Eno River Academy at the Walker Tennis Complex in Mebane. Orange is filled with experience with five starters returning from a squad that finished second in the Central Conference last year. The Lady Panthers also hosted the first state playoff match in the 43-year history of the program last October, beating Northern Nash 5-2. Adelyn Alvis, who was named the Central Conference Field Athlete of the Year in outdoor track last spring, returns after going 7-1 in singles matches in 2024. Including doubles, Alvis won eleven matches overall. Senior Molly Kruse will start after being one-half of Orange’s top doubles team last season. Kruse and Shannon Sollars won eight matches last year. Another senior, Casey Robinson, went 5-o in singles play as a junior. Orange also returns the doubles team of Kalynn Mason and Ellie Wilson, who went 7-2 last season for a team that finished 14-5 overall. Under head coach Justin Webb, Orange has built a consistent program. Since 2021, Orange is 62-19 with three wins in the 3A State Dual Team playoffs. Under the North Carolina High School Athletic Association’s new eight classification system, Orange is now an 5A team. In addition to playing Eno River on Monday, Orange will travel to Southern Alamance on Thursday.
