Tennis team returns eight letter winners for season
By Dan Truttschel
Correspondent
A quick look at the East Troy girls tennis roster shows just three seniors who are expected to make a contribution.
But that doesn’t mean the Trojans are a completely inexperienced bunch.
East Troy returns eight letter winners from a year ago for 23rd-year head coach Dave Lindow, who enters the fall optimistic that his team can again enjoy success on the court.
“I hope to be very competitive in all matches,” he said. “(We’re) still a pretty young team with five sophomores. We will have to work really hard during the season to get better and compete for the conference title.”
Expected to fill varsity spots for the Trojans are senior Lora Leach at No. 1 singles, junior Anna Stephan at No. 2, junior Victoria Pott at No. 3 and senior Claudia Pott at No. 4.
Potential doubles teams include sophomores Erin Rice and Mackenzie Lindow at No. 1, sophomore Mikayla Lamping and junior Alison Barth at No. 2, and sophomore Paige Metcalf and junior Maddie Peters and senior Kelly Griffa and sophomore Allison Slusar at No. 3.
Lindow said the Pott sisters have been out of town for the start of the season, so exactly where they land when they return is still to be determined.
Leach will lead the Trojans on the court after a junior campaign that saw her finish in the top 16 at the Wisconsin Interscholastic Athletic Association State Tournament, Lindow said.
“(She) gives us a chance to win at that flight every time she takes the court,” he said. “We need to continue to develop our young players and have them battle tested by the end of the end of the year when it really counts.”
Leach, Mackenzie Lindow and Barth will serve as tri-captains – but leadership also will come from any number of players, Dave Lindow said.
“We will look for these three to make sure our practices are intense and set a good example for the rest of the team to follow,” he said. “We also have many other kids who will help lead this team.
“All of these kids know what kind of tradition we have, and they will uphold it.”
Whippets team to beat
Lindow said defending Rock Valley Conference champion Whitewater appears to be a team to watch again in 2016, along with Big Foot-Williams Bay.
Every match is a challenge, he said.
“Our conference is the best Division 2 public school conference in the state,” he said. “With my full team intact, we hope to be knocking on the door.”
The goals for 2016 remain the same as always for Lindow, who is assisted for the 15th season by Paul Kielas.
“Our goals never change, work hard, compete, have fun, be respectful,” Lindow said. “Our first goal every year is to win the Rock Valley (Conference).
“Our second goal is to advance players to the WIAA State Tennis Tournament. We have done that 17 out of the last 18 years.”
