Tennis is the most recent sport to be revived and added to Riverside Academy’s roster of activities. When Jon DeRoche came to RA to teach history, he decided the school needed a tennis team because it’s a sport he enjoys and he wanted to “promote tennis in the River Parishes.”

The team started up in 2021 and began the 2023 season on Feb. 13 at Dutchtown. On Feb. 15 they played Denham Springs in Baton Rouge. Both matches were hard-fought even if they didn’t result in wins.

The season’s roster includes: Kallie Bourgeois (the only senior), Rhonda Scott, Chloe Madere, Emma Babin, Kaydence Hoover, Saylor DeRoche, and Emme Stowe. Kaydence and Kallie, Emma and Rhonda, and Chloe and Saylor are doubles partners. All the ladies are first-timers on the court looking for experience and improvement. 

DeRoche said he is feeling great about the team’s future.

“We have a good team, a young team and they’re willing to grow into the sport,” he said.

The team travels to Baton Rouge to take on Central on Feb. 27 and plays Ascension Catholic at Highland Road Park on March 2.