Indy Star

By Patrick Dorsey

 

Avon girls tennis coach Stan Malless expects big things from the Orioles in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and the postseason.

"We had a pretty good season last year," said Malless, whose team was 11-4 and ranked No. 24 in the final regular-season coaches poll. "(We) should be pretty good again. I expect us to be even better than last year."
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Leading the way is No. 1 singles player Christina Riley, a senior who hasn't lost a regular-season match and who took fourth last season in the individual state championships. The Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association named her to its all-state and all-district teams in 2008.

"She's definitely motivated," Malless said. "She had the chance to win it all last year, and that's motivated her to work even harder . . . which is saying a lot because she was already one of the best players in the state."

The Orioles' roster isn't quite solidified, although Malless has a decent idea of how it might shake out.

Last year's No. 3 singles player, Brittany Hill, could find herself in doubles or possibly the No. 2 singles slot. Danielle Edwards also is in the singles mix -- Malless called her a very strong player, who is returning from a back injury. Bethany Harris also could contend for a singles spot, and BreeAnna Sawyer could factor in.

Caroline Bennett, Alyssa Harrison, Keara Miller and Samantha Russey seem to be in the doubles competition.

How the season falls together is to be determined, and the same goes for how it plays out on the court.

Malless called the HCC loaded, with Zionsville again the team to beat and Brownsburg, Hamilton Southeastern, Noblesville and West Lafayette Harrison also challengers.

Then there's sectionals, with top competition expected from Brownsburg and Plainfield, which last year tied for 30th in the rankings; the sectional champion Quakers fell in regionals to state champion Park Tudor. Danville and Mooresville also shared a sectional with Avon last year.
Covenant Christian

Covenant Christian brings back a strong doubles tandem of Liz Gentry and Anna Zumbrun (a regional qualifier last year in individuals), along with the rest of the team's core.

That consists of possible singles players Kim Henke and Amanda Reller, along with four players -- Olivia Filby, Brooke Foreman, Kayla Hunter and Esther Smith -- vying for the final singles spot and the No. 2 doubles team.

"I'm feeling pretty good about our season," said coach Carol Gentry.

The Warriors' season begins Wednesday against Cardinal Ritter, which Covenant Christian shared a sectional with last year (won by Ben Davis). Ritter owns four titles in the last six years; Covenant Christian won in 2005.