The Bismarck Lions and Lady Lions tennis teams prepare to crank up their year of singles and doubles competition for the 2026 season.
Bismarck tennis teams are scheduled for matches Aug. 18 at Fountain Lake, Aug. 25 at Hot Springs Lakeside, Sept. 1 at Gurdon, Sept. 14 at Arkadelphia, Sept. 15 at Jessieville, Sept. 21 at Hot Springs Lakeside, Sept. 22 at Jessieville, and Sept. 29 at Fountain Lake.
The boys and girls district tournaments will be hosted at Jessieville again the year. Several Lions and Lady Lions qualified for state from their performances at district last year in Jessieville.
Last year, the Lions and Lady Lions tennis teams made some roaring noise at the 3A-4 District Tournament hosted in Jessieville. The Lady Lions captured the 3A-4 girls district tournament title for 2025. Doubles team Grace Efird and Ruthie Bell finished runner-up after advancing to the championship match. Also in doubles, Shaley McCloud and Skylah Davis qualified to compete at state after finishing third place at district.
Eleanor Keithley and Kylee Hughes both competed in girls singles matches. Kylee Hughes finished third to qualify for state.
The Lions also had a doubles team that qualified for state—Preston Hughes and Landon Williams finished third after defeating their teammates Caedmon Keithley and Ivan Diaz in a competitive duel at district.
In boys singles at district, Lions’ Gabe Show finished third overall to qualify for state. Cayden Burch competed well throughout his singles match at district.
Bismarck tennis is coached by head coach Preston Crowder with assistant coach Tony Hardage.
Read story details in Tuesday’s August 18 MDR newspaper edition.