Tennis pavilion named after longtime Kennett girls tennis coach Janet Hilburn on Senior Day
KENNETT, Mo. - Kennett High School took the opportunity to honor one of its most successful coaches in school history before the start of the girls tennis match against the visiting Poplar Bluff Mules Wednesday afternoon.
“We would like to take this opportunity to recognize and appreciate the time and effort of an individual who has spent her entire life contributing to the Kennett community, school and athletic department,” Kennett athletic director Jim Vaughan said to those in attendance near the recently constructed pavilion at the Kennett High School tennis courts. “Before we proceed with this dedication, we would like to recognize Mr. Wendell Crow for inspiring this idea and would also like to thank all of the donors who made this new pavilion a possibility.
“Coach Janet Hilburn, born and raised an Indian, was a highly successful and accomplished athlete at Kennett, and also a four-year letter winner in tennis at Arkansas State University,” Vaughan continued. “Coach Hilburn began her coaching career 25 years ago when she took over the tennis program in 1993. During that time, her teams have won 12 district title, had numerous individuals qualify for the state tournament, and had two teams qualify for the state final four. At this time, we would like to congratulate Coach Hilburn for her accomplishments with the unveiling of the “Janet Hilburn Pavilion.”
Following the announcement, cardboard covering the title was removed from the south side of the pavilion and Coach Hilburn posed for photos with family and friends in front of the pavilion.
“I never dreamed they would be naming it after me,” Hilburn said. “It was a big surprise. I’d like to thank Don Collins and all of the contributors who helped make the pavilion possible. I’m truly honored it has been named after me.”
Hilburn says the pavilion is the latest of several new resources the program has received in recent years.
“When I started we had a very small budget and I was the only coach,” Hilburn said. “Now I have the luxury of having an assistant coach and have been able to order things like ball machines and ball mowers, and most recently this pavilion.”
Kennett continued its success on the courts after the ceremony. The Kennett varsity improved to 10-0 and completed a perfect regular season as it beat Poplar Bluff 9-0. Kennett also won 12 of 13 junior varsity matches against Poplar Bluff.
Kennett recognized its nine seniors - Holly Taylor, Sydni McAtee, Emma Phillips, Alexa Blankenship, Bella Rouse, Darcy Campbell, Annalyse Todd, Allie Parent, and Alexis Burdin - following the match
“I have never had more than nine seniors on a squad,” Hilburn said. “They’ve been here and played in some big matches in recent years. Three of them have played on varsity for at least three years. They are a big reason why we have been successful on varsity and junior varsity the last four years. They know what to expect and have helped us develop our younger players. We are graduating over half of our squad and we are going to have to work very hard in the offseason.”
Kennett begins its quest for its 13th straight district title next week. The Indians host a district semifinal Tuesday. If they win they host the district final Wednesday.
“We are trying to extend our streak to 13,” Hilburn said. “We hope we will conquer the title but on any given day any team is beatable.”
See results from the Kennett-Poplar Bluff match below:
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VARSITY SINGLES
No. 1 - Sydni McAtee (K) def. Sara Holland (PB) 8-2
No. 2 - Darcy Campbell (K) def. Mya White (PB) 8-0
No. 3 - Emma Phillips (K) def. Clarissa Varner (PB) 8-1
No. 4 - Alexa Blankenship (K) def. Megan Murphy (PB) 8-2
No. 5 - Anelle Harris (K) def. Emily Williams (PB) 8-0
No. 6 - Taylor Hufford (K) def. Simone Anders (PB) 8-0
VARSITY DOUBLES
No. 1 - Campbell-McAtee (K) def. Holland-Murphy (PB) 8-0
No. 2 - Phillips-Blankenship (K) def. White-Varner (PB) 8-4
No. 3 - Harris-Hufford (K) def. Williams-Anders (PB) 8-0
Notes: Kennett won all eight junior varsity singles matches and four of five junior varsity doubles matches completed.