Vote now for 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason tennis player of the year

The start of the 2026 Alabama high school tennis season brings a competitive field of Tuscaloosa-area standouts into preseason discussions. And now, you can vote for The 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason tennis player of the year.

The AHSAA season officially began Jan. 29 and runs through mid-April, with sectional tournaments scheduled for April 13-16. The postseason concludes with the AHSAA State Tennis Tournament from April 20-24 in Mobile, while the AISA State Tennis Tournament is set for April 6-7 in Montgomery.

Below are the preseason tennis player of the year candidates from the Tuscaloosa area. Candidates were nominated by area coaches from our preseason tennis players to watch list. You can cast your vote below until noon Tuesday, Feb. 10.

2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason tennis player of the year candidates

American Christian’s Davis Shelton (senior, singles/doubles)

Why: Shelton returns for his final season after winning the Class 4A-5A Section 4 Court 1 doubles championship with Horn, and finishing as the runner-up at Line 1 singles. He has made two consecutive state tournament appearances.

Hillcrest’s Griffin Armstrong (senior, singles/doubles)

Why: Armstrong is the winningest tennis player in Hillcrest’s program history. A North-South All-Star last season, he enters his senior year as the program’s No. 1 at singles and doubles.

Hillcrest’s Aisley Chapman (sophomore, singles/doubles)

Why: Chapman competes at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles and has held the top spot since her freshman season. She has consistently performed at the top of the lineup while playing both singles and doubles.

Northridge’s Kate Thom (senior, singles/doubles)

Why: Thom will play the No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles positions this season, marking her second year as the team’s top player.

Northridge’s Will Thom (sophomore, singles/doubles)

Why: Thom will again compete at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles, continuing his third season in the top spot. Last year, he finished as a finalist at the No. 1 singles position at the Class 6A state tournament.

Sipsey Valley’s Morgan Dockery (senior, singles/doubles)

Why: Dockery finished first at sectionals in both singles and doubles while competing as the No. 1 seed.

Tuscaloosa Academy’s Jonni Kneer (senior, singles)

Why: Kneer went undefeated in singles in 2025 and won his second-straight Class 1A-3A Line 1 singles state title. While doing so, he surpassed 100 career wins on the season, finishing with 121. Kneer recently signed to play tennis at South Alabama.

University Charter’s Mabry Beard (junior, singles/doubles)

Why: In 2025, Beard competed at No. 2 singles and finished third at sectionals. At No. 1 doubles, she won the sectional title and advanced to the Class 1A-3A state championship match, finishing as the state runner-up to St. Luke’s. She is expected to move into the No. 1 singles spot this season.

University Charter’s Rece Gilliland (eighth grade, singles/doubles)

Why: With University Charter fielding a varsity boys tennis team for the first time in school history, Gilliland is set to lead the lineup at No. 1 singles and No. 1 doubles.

Vote for 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason tennis player of the year

This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Cast your vote for 2026 Tuscaloosa News preseason tennis player of the year