Rumors have been circulating about changes supposedly coming to high school tennis in Howard County. To set the record straight, The Sun contacted the coordinator of the athletics office to find out whether competitive lineups are going to be changed this season. We were directed to Jean Vanderpool, athletics and activities manager at Centennial High, who handles all things tennis.

Vanderpool said no changes have been made -- yet. But that they will be considered at a meeting Feb. 23.

And what are the changes that are being considered?

Instead of two boys and two girls singles and three boys and three girls doubles matches, there would be two boys and two girls singles matches, two boys and two girls doubles matches, and two mixed doubles matches.

That means the boys would have five matches and the girls would have five matches, making sure there would be no ties in the final team scores. It also means the same number of girls and boys would play in a match -- eight girls and eight boys.

The reason for considering the changes, said Vanderpool, "is because tennis plays mixed in the county, region and state tournaments. Other counties already play mixed during the season. We are the only county that does not."