From the players to the coaches to the athletic trainers to athletic department staff members, the freshman tennis program has been truly a hard-working collective effort at Xavier Prep this season.
There are a
little more than 60 players involved in the no-cut endeavor, and there are very
few idle moments.
That is
because of the status of the Stark Tennis Center, which has been completely
demolished and is being rebuilt and upgraded on its former space at the west
end of campus. The project has been transformed for several months, with a
target completion date in mid-November.
In the
meantime, everybody adjusts.
The three
groups of teams – the Blue and the Green (competitive with more experienced
players) and the Beginners (little or no experience and a primary learning
level), have been practicing and playing home matches graciously provided by
Central High, Xavier’s neighbor to the south, across the Grand Canal.
The location
is within walking distance, but that can be a problem when you are carrying
numerous equipment/clothing bags, so Xavier head coach Judy Hernandez and her
assistants usually drive two buses over, one for the players and one to carry
all the equipment.
Hernandez
also chauffeurs the two competitive teams to their away matches. The Blue and
Green teams usually have one road match per week and one home match per week.
And the Beginners are out in full force for practice on Fridays.
“The
situation is kind of nice,’’ Hernandez said. “We’ve got great girls this year.
They’re freshmen, and they don’t really know anything different, having not
played on the old courts. They know that in life, you are going to have to make
adjustments.’’
Athletic
department administrative assistant Ronna Layne does a lot of the legwork as
far as scheduling/changes and setting up transportation are concerned. And
Certified Head Athletic Trainer Laurie White and Assistant Trainer Hannah
Duszynski shuttle fresh water and emergency ice over to the courts and are on
hand in case of injuries. They communicate by walkie-talkie.
The
beginning players work on hand-eye coordination, learn how to hold the racket,
using the proper footwork and playing with lower-compression tennis balls to
allow them to get used to the speed.
“Whatever
the level the girls are at, we are hopeful they will continue to play after we
are done here, whether its learning more through lessons or maybe having a
chance to play at the junior varsity level (in the spring),’’ Hernandez said.
Both the Blue
and the Green teams each won their first two matches. They were due to play
again on Tuesday (Sept. 28) and Thursday (Sept. 30). The season will continue
through October.
XAVIER PREP FRESHMAN TENNIS ROSTERS
Fall 2021
Competitive
(more experience)
XCP Green
Abby Alcock,
Logan Basten, Juliet Chrostowski, Gabrielle (Elle) Dinan, Payton Farley, Kenzie
Scott, Emilie Strecker, Lauren Strong Albers, Maya Superfon.
XCP Blue
Chayse
Clingan, Julia Ganem, Gabi Hayden, Savannah LaBerge, Sydni Mackey, Malina
McKenzie, Nitya Reddymasu, Lara Shennib.
Beginning Group 1
Milani
Alvarez, Olivia Aramian, Kelsi Carter, Alondra Castaneda, Daniella Cecere,
Samantha Colonna, Maya Dolasinski, Emma Doyle, Kalani Hernandez, Erika
Kraseman, Brooke LaRocco, Roberta Lobo, Adelina Marquina, Addelyn Pederson,
Lexie Polachek, Isabella Reinhart, Lollie Schubert, Sadie Sebald, Rachel
Shprecher, Eva Turner, Phebe Urrea, Chloe Yoon.
Beginning Group 2
Rocio
Aguilera, Alondra Babonoyaba, Madison Ballecer, Kelsey Ballecer, Aku Baral, Ana
Bramlett, Winona Chu, Brishen Ehmann, Mary Endredy, Alexandra Estrada, Ingrid
Garcia, Abril Gutierrez, Laila Mullady, Denisse Nieto Valentin, Rowan
Ostendorf, Aliah Perez, Angelique Ramirez, Rachel Reynoso, Monae Saia, Liliana
Solorio, Deborah Toscano.
Coaches
Head coach – Judy Hernandez. Assistant coaches – Barbara Holcomb, Amy Gallo, Ford Oliver, Lara
Murphy.
No comments:
Post a Comment