The East Troy High School girls tennis team started right where it left off last year. The defending Rock Valley Conference champions kicked off their 2012 campaign winning the East Troy triangular last Saturday. They defeated Milwaukee King 5-2 and then downed Catholic Central 7-0.
The Trojans lost four seniors from the 2011 championship team and came into Saturday with many new faces in the line up.
Dave Lindow, who is entering his 19th year as head coach, was eager to see how his newcomers would do.
“We have a good core of our team back but we also have plenty of new kids fighting for spots,” said Lindow.
Alissa Yakes returns at No. 1 singles and will anchor the team.
Yakes finished in first defeating Milwaukee King 0-6, 6-4, (10-8) and then defeating Catholic Central 6-0, 6-0.
“Alissa lost 0-6 and then fought her way back,” said Lindow. “That showed me a lot.”
Shauna Jacobs, who won 25 matches last year at No. 4 singles, will hold down the No. 2 singles spot.
“Shauna has to move up to the No. 2 spot and she will do just fine,” said Lindow.
Jacobs won both her matches defeating King 6-1, 6-3, and Catholic Central 6-0, 6-0.
Junior Vanessa Tess will again play at No. 3 singles.
After winning the first set 6-0 against Milwaukee King, Tess then lost the second set 3-6, and 10-12 in the match tie-break. She then defeated Catholic Central 6-0, 6-0.
Junior Nicole Barr will take the No. 4 singles spot.
Barr faired well in her first varsity match winning a close one against King 5-7, 6-3, (10-6).
“We talked about an adjustment between sets and she preformed very well,” stated Lindow. “Barr went on to defeat Catholic Central 6-0, 6-0 in her final match.
In doubles, the junior duo of Paige Kloth and Abi Goode will hold down the No. 1 spot. They cruised to victory in both matches defeating King 6-3, 6-1 and Catholic Central 6-1, 6-0.
“This team needs to keep the ball in play and limit their mistakes,” said Lindow. “They have the potential to be a very good team.”
At No. 2 doubles, sophomore Kora Gaspervich will partner up with junior Bryn Reimer. With Reimer out of the line up Saturday, sophomore Morgan Wittkowske filled in with Gaspervich. They lost to Milwaukee King 3-6, 4-6 and then defeated 6-0, 6-1.
“Kora has worked very hard this summer and I’m looking forward to seeing her grow this year,” said Lindow. “Morgan did a great job and will help us all year long.”
Seniors Carlie Schultz and Jenny Frank round out Lindow’s team at No. 3 doubles.
“These two do a nice job of keeping the ball in play,” said Lindow.
They defeated King 6-4, 6-4 and Catholic Central 6-3, 6-0.
Lindow’s goal for the 2012 season remains the same as every year – Be competitive in every match, shoot to win the conference title, and advance to the WIAA state meet.
The Trojan’s have advanced to the WIAA state girl’s individual tennis tournament for the past 15 seasons.
During Lindow’s 19 seasons as head coach, the Trojans have played in the Southern Lakes Conference and the Rock Valley Conference.
With 10 team victories this year, Lindow will become the first coach in either conference’s history to achieve 200 wins in girls tennis and 100 wins in boys tennis.
