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The online home of the Central Focus

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The online home of the Central Focus

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At the start of her match, sophomore Ashley Hayes stands with intensity, carefully locking in on the perfect spot to place her serve. Her eyes scan the other side of the net, reading her opponent’s position. She then sends the ball soaring over the net, marking the beginning of an exciting rally.

A Smash Hit

Michael Purcell, Staff Reporter December 24, 2025

State championships are often a harrowing journey, with the trials and hardships along the way testing an athlete’s resolve. On the girls’ tennis team, one player worked through the tribulations of...

Junior Savannah Meissbach reaches out to catch a ball tossed to her by her teammate. She then takes her position at the baseline as she prepares to serve for the upcoming game.

Rally for the Finale

Anna Shi, Staff Photographer October 13, 2025

As the 2025-2026 tennis season came to a close, the JV girls tennis team gave it their all at their final match. On Sept. 30, the Spartans faced off against the Francis Howell Vikings. Throughout the...

While Mingus Babbard starts her match off with a serve, she looks at the ball to have perfect precession with where the ball goes. After she hits the ball the rally starts.

Strength of Serves

Lola Bedel, Photographer September 29, 2025

The second match of the season, girls varsity tennis played against Fort Zumwalt North. They played hard and won 8-1, this shows how much they practice for these games. On Sept. 2 the team worked together...

Sophomore Sydney Mursean looks up the lacrosse field, scanning for an open teammate. Balancing multiple sports helps Mursean explore different interests and relieve stress.

Multi-Sport Memoirs

Sara McIver, Staff Reporter November 18, 2024

Most high school students enjoy playing sports during their time here at FHC. Sometimes, in addition to sports, students do sports outside of school that they all have to deal with. Sophomore Sydney Mursean...

Freshman Ashley Hayes jumps to serve the ball. Hayes' powerful serve was part of what set her apart from her opponents.

Freshman Phenomenon

Hannah Halterman, Web Co-Editor-in-Chief November 7, 2024

There was a slight chill in the air in Springfield, Mo. as freshman Ashley Hayes prepared for her final four match at the tennis state championship, the first to do so in FHC history.  As she stepped...

Senior Rylie Schaefermeir smiles as Dr. Suzanne Leake awards her with her senior night medal. Each senior received a medal on senior night to commemorate their experience with the team.

Missing the Memories

Rachel Blanchard, Staff Photographer November 7, 2024

With fall sports drawing to a close, seniors are faced with the bittersweet ending of their experience in high school sports. On Sept. 27, the girls varsity tennis team celebrated their senior night...

As the other team is about to serve, sophomore Isabel Black is ready to volley the ball right back. A volley is a strike of the ball made before it touches the ground.

Swinging Into Success

Rachael Latzel, Staff Photographer September 26, 2024

During the peak of tennis season, the girls team works extra hard for their spots on varsity and plays matches almost daily. Winning both matches against Incarnate Word on Sept 18, sophomore Isabel...

Seniors and good friends, Nadia Manuchev and Rylie Schaefermeier, tap their racquets after a double match against Troy. Tapping racquets after a play is a way of saying “good job” or “keep it up” to encourage and motivate your teammates.

Serving up a Win Against Troy

Addison Yeaton, Staff Photographer September 24, 2024

Under the overcast sky, the girls tennis team won against Troy on Sept. 12.  The senior captain, Riley Schaefermeier, kept the team's morale high by remaining positive and being a role model for the...

Ending the set, freshman Ashley Hayes smashes the ball and sends it flying over the net, landing in between the two players from Helias. This was during Hayes’ first double match of the day.

Golden Girls

Summer Suarez, Photo Assignments Editor September 20, 2024

Playing on their home court, the girls varsity tennis team took on Helias High School in both doubles and singles matches on Sept 5. During these matches, only the top six girls, or the gold tier,...

Sophomore Sivani Kandel tracks the tennis ball as she warms up for her doubles match against North Point. Kandel had been playing consistantly all season, which allowed her to play higher junior varsity doubles teams every game.

Formidable Forehands

Sophie Rosser, Staff Photographer September 17, 2024

As athletes head farther into September many sports hit the peak of their season, with players having a match or game every other game. On Sept. 9, the Girls Tennis team played a match against Northpoint...

Senior Rylie Schafermeier and Lauren Wortkoetter stand ready in position as the opposing team serves. They await to hit the ball at the match against Helias on Sept. 4, held at Francis Howell Central. Even though they had lost this match Riley had a positive attitude stating “I feel like I did pretty okay in that match. So it really, it was just mainly about how I needed to stay out of my head more.”. Not letting the loss affect her, yet learning from it to help her move forward.

Trouble in Tennis

Layci Kenoyer, Staff Photographer September 16, 2024

In the beginning of the girls tennis team’s season they played a match against Helias High School on Sept. 5 at Central’s home court. This was the fourth match of the season, even though the girls...

In position, captain senior Kaitlyn Morgan waits for her partner to serve the ball. She keeps her guard up in preparation for the other side to return the serve back.

Serving Success on the Tennis Courts

Sophia Allen, Staff Photographer September 10, 2024

Hosting the first JV tennis game of the season at home against Rockwood Summit, on Aug 30, both the JV and Varsity girls worked hard during the bundle of matches, coming out victorious with a clean...

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