VEEDERSBURG — Chris Webb has been around the Fountain Central tennis program for many years. He’s experienced so much success and made countless memories with the Mustangs, but this 2024 season might be the most special for Webb. That’s because he’s getting to experience this season with his daughters as Haley and Elise Webb are helping FC to a successful season. Haley, as she has for most of her Mustang career, mans the No. 1 singles spot in her final season with FC while Elise who is a freshman plays No. 2 singles and has made an impact in her first varsity season.
Not only does Webb get assist head coach David Kight in guiding another successful season with the Lady Mustangs, he gets to watch both of his daughters play right beside each other.
“I love that both of them are out here by choice,” Webb said of both Haley and Elise. “They’ve spent so many hours on these courts growing up since they were probably three or four years old. I was always coaching and my wife Krista always made sure that the game of tennis was a family event for all of us. For me this is really special because I’ve always said I spend so much time with other people’s kids than what their parents do. You go from having them in class to coaching them in tennis and now I get that chance with my own kids. It’s been a such a great opportunity this season and I’ll never look back and regret getting to coach these two.”
For Haley who plays the role of the big sister, it’s been a dream come getting to watch her little sister grow up and enjoy the same sport that she has loved her entire life. While Haley does have to focus on her own matches, she admits that she’s looking over constantly when she gets a chance to see how Elise is doing.
“I definitely enjoy having her out there with me,” Haley said. “I learned a lot through the years from the upperclassmen and seniors that came before me and now that I’m in that captain role, it makes this season extra special that I get to share it along side Elise. There has been times where I’ve had to remind myself to focus on my own match first because I’m so invested in watching her too.”
The same holds true for Elise who has always looked up to her big sister. In her first varsity season she’s earned the No. 2 singles spot and as a freshman has went up against upperclassmen and held her own very well.
“This first season has been pretty amazing,” Elise said. “I know that if I’m struggling or missing shots that I can look over to Haley and see what she’s doing and then just try and replicate that. She’s done a really good job of encouraging me and helping me stay focused when I need to. Both of our coaches do a great job of giving us specific instructions so I think having both Coach Kight and my dad along side me has really helped me ease into this first year.”
Chris details the experience that Elise has gotten in her first season and notes how she’s been able to step right in. There’s been some learning lessons along the way, but that’s why she has family around her to turn to for advice.
“Elise has improved so much from her first match of the season,” Chris said. “It’s not easy at all to do what she’s done and step right in at a competitive two singles spot. I’m excited to see where she goes the rest of the way. We’re gearing up for the conference tournament and of course the sectional coming up here in a few weeks and Elise has been and will continue to be a big part of our success as a team.”
The bond that Webb’s have is special to begin with. Then you add getting to play and enjoy the same sport for years on end and it’s just something else that has made the family that much closer. Haley even talks about how their younger brother has and most likely will get to continue in their footsteps.
“Tennis has just become who we are as a family,” Haley said. “Our younger brother will even come out and hit with us so this sport has really become a family thing for all of us. We just are always watching, talking and playing tennis and I really can’t imagine life without this great sport.”
While this will be the only season that both Haley and Elise get to play with the Mustangs the sport of tennis is one that can be played year-round and one that can always be played no matter the age.
It’s not that the sisters are playing on the same team, but also that they are playing right alongside each other. Haley has taken her role as the captain and also big sister in stride and is always looking out for Elise.
“I’ve seen Haley when she has a break in between her sets watch Elise,” Chris said. “She’s really taken that role of a team captain and also a big sister very seriously. Watching both of them has been an absolute treat and it’s something our family will remember for quite sometime.”
As a team the Mustangs have their eyes now focuses on the WRC tournament coming up along with the sectional. The Webb family is looking for some more success as they’re enjoying their time on the court with each other.
