Young Northview netters learning on the fly

By CAREY FOX

Times Sports Editor

The 2012 Northview girls' tennis team will have a much different look this season with an influx of freshmen and no returning singles players from the team that lost in the sectional title match to Owen Valley last year.

A pair of former doubles players, Kesley Oehler and Trisha Cox will move into a singles role this year along with junior Nicole Linton. Senior Jenna Smith will remain to anchor the No. 1 doubles spot for the Knights.

"Our singles, starting out in the first week will be Haley Leach at No. 1, at No. 2 is going to be Nicole Linton and No. 3 is going to be Kelsey Oehler," head coach Emily Goff said. "Trisha Cox is also going to be a singles player, but she's going to be out of town for a little bit. So that's what it will look like for the first week of matches."

With such an inexperienced team, Goff will be leaning heavily on seniors Smith, Oehler and Cox this year.

"The three seniors, who are also our co-captains, are dedicated and are hard workers. They've shown a lot of commitment and leadership," Goff said.

A 12-member freshmen class is mostly getting their feet wet in practice and gaining the necessary experience to compete down the road.

"The spots are mainly set for varsity, but we have one more night of challenge matches," coach Emily Goff said of the lineup. "It probably won't change too much, so for right now it's where it's going to be. We have a lot of young girls that have never played before. They are really putting in a lot of time though and are very dedicated. This is a really good group that wants to learn and has been taking lessons and staying after practice."

Smith will move up to No. 1 singles this year and will team with freshman Kaysia Reberger while the No. 2 doubles team will consist of sophomore Shelby Timberman and freshman Hannah Minor.

Goff was quick to note how much the experience of junior varsity competition helps the team going forward.

"(Playing JV last year) is really important," Goff said. "We don't have as big a group as we normally do. We have 20, which is still a really good number. Monday, for our first match, is going to be a challenge because the girls have little experience.

"It's very important (to have lessons), especially not having a middle school team," Goff added. "The ones that have been taking lessons have already proved themselves and moved higher up the ladder. It's really important for them to just get out and hit and to take lessons before the season starts."

The Knights open the season at home on Monday against Plainfield beginning at 5 p.m.

2012 Northview girls' varsity tennis schedule