For those who love big, bold statements at the start of columns, chew on this.

With three Division I tennis players coming out of Lawrence this year, thereâÂÂs never been a more skilled group of student tennis players in town.

ItâÂÂs big, but maybe not that bold. After all, itâÂÂs hard to imagine any group better.

Free State High senior Emily Wang signed a letter of intent on Friday to play at the University of Illinois. Caitlin Collins, a Lawrence student, signed to play at the University of North Carolina. Lawrence High senior Scott Elwell orally committed to the University of Iowa.

UNC is a top-10 team. The Illini were ranked among the top 30 and finished 45th. Iowa ended the menâÂÂs season ranked No. 66.

Both Collins and Wang want to play professionally. TheyâÂÂll go to school with the intent of practicing and improving to the point where big-money tennis becomes a reality.

Two players from Lawrence with pro potential? Sounds like a best-ever case to me.

But donâÂÂt just take my word for it. Phil Baillos, a coach at Indian Creek Racquet Club in Overland Park, has worked with five of the last six Class 6A state champions, including Wang, FSHS graduate Laura Gravino and Shawnee Mission SouthâÂÂs Cassie Drake.

âÂÂItâÂÂs probably the best group of kids out of Lawrence,â Baillos said.

Lawrence has had its share of good tennis players. The Lions had Kip and Kara Brady in the mid-80s, and Tariq Butt, Matt Hefner, Chris Werholtz and Jennifer Vaughn in the mid-90s.

But IâÂÂm a believer that todayâÂÂs athletes are usually a bit better than those of a few years ago, especially in a sport like tennis. Technology and endless hours of practicing and playing in tournaments makes todayâÂÂs trio slightly better.

âÂÂThatâÂÂs probably the main difference with those three kids,â Baillos said, âÂÂis that they play outside of the high school season.âÂÂ

It showed the last two years with Wang.

FSHS coach Jon Renberger watched her develop as a player, much of it because of offseason work.

âÂÂAs a high school coach, IâÂÂm blessed to reap some of the benefits of that,â Renberger said. âÂÂBut itâÂÂs fun to see them progress.âÂÂ

Kansas University, which finished the year ranked 37th, showed some interest in both Wang and Collins, but not having an indoor facility hurt the Jayhawksâ chances of landing the hometown prospects.

And KU no longer has a menâÂÂs team, so Elwell couldnâÂÂt consider the Jayhawks.

Thus, Lawrence residents wonâÂÂt be able to see these talents develop at home.

And who doesnâÂÂt want to see the best group of tennis players hit its prime? That would just reinforce whatâÂÂs been said about them Ãi¿½” that itâÂÂs the best group of tennis players to ever come out of Lawrence.

âÂÂThis year itâÂÂs just remarkable,â Renberger said. âÂÂIt shows the ability of the kids.âÂÂ