Things started well for the young Tippecanoe varsity girls tennis team last week. The Red Devils defeated Greenville 4-1 at the middle school courts to open their 2024 season on the right foot.

The Red Devils, who lost all seven varsity players from last year, saw a lot of new faces take the big stage for the first time, and they did the job.

“They did not play today like they were playing their first match. They played like a veteran team,” Romer said. “They showed great leadership on all courts, and the doubles teams communicate like they have been playing together for years.”

“The freshman players on the singles matches are doing great things; Jillian (Schroeder) is playing phenomenally. They are playing like they have been playing on the top varsity team their whole lives.”

Eleanor Spangler won at first singles for Tipp, defeating Riley 6-0, 6-0, while Bri Kovaleski defeated Madie Lance 6-0, 6-1 at second singles. Schroeder won at third singles, defeating Sienna Gilman 6-1, 6-0.

Eve McCormick and Sydney LaBreck lost at first doubles 1-6, 7-5, 7-5, while at second doubles, Sammi Kozen and Madi Lieber earned a 6-3, 6-3 victory.

With the straight set win, the Red Devils start the season off on the right foot. Romer noted some of the players who caught his attention with their solid play in the season opener.

“Eve at first doubles has come out of nowhere this year and has been the leader of the doubles courts and is one of our team captains,” Romer said.

With any good team, it is all about improvements, and they move through the season. Romer noted a few things that his team must improve on as the season progresses.

“A lot of what they need to focus on is the mental aspects of the game, like if you miss a shot, it’s ok, it’s just one point,” he said. “It just means you just have to keep going, don’t turn one mistake into multiple mistakes.”

“They also need to get more consistent on their first serves. They are missing a decent amount of them, and they need to focus on that.”