Indy Star

 

By Steve Brooks / Star correspondent

 

Hamilton Southeastern High School girls tennis coach Dave Willingham and the Royals have a clear picture of what they can do.

With a 2008 starting lineup of juniors and sophomores until a late-season injury altered things a bit, the Royals went 12-4, took second behind state finalist Zionsville in the Hoosier Crossroads Conference and fell to second-ranked Carmel in the sectional final.

Now the team has loftier goals.

"This will definitely be the strongest team I've had in my eight years here," Willingham said. "We're definitely optimistic about the things we can do. All of the girls got a year of experience, and now they're ready to take that next step.

"We felt pretty good about the season we had last year, but we think we can do more this year."

Carol Hsu returns at No. 1 singles after suffering an injury that sidelined her for the final week of the regular season and the sectional. The Indiana High School Tennis Coaches Association and Indiana Coaches of Girls Sports Association named her second team all-state in 2007.

"I think Carol's injury helped us a bit in that we got some girls to play in situations they might not have been in otherwise. Any time you can do that, it's going to help you improve," Willingham said, "but it will be nice to have Carol healthy. She makes this team so much stronger."

Freshman Kristie Hsu, Carol's sister, will start at No. 2 singles. Shelly Tang, who filled in at No. 1 singles at the end of last season, is at No. 3 singles.

Holly Becker, Lina Goens, Elise Hanuscheck, Stephanie Iden and Devon Strand are expected to compete for the doubles positions.

"We don't have anything set yet with doubles," Willingham said, "but all five of those girls give us some options. It's really nice to have that kind of competition for those spots."

The Royals will battle Zionsville again in the HCC, but the Eagles graduated their top two singles players.

"We gave it a shot last year. Our goal was to compete for the title," Willingham said. "This year our goal is to win it. As long as the effort in practice is there, that's a goal we feel is attainable."

Then there's the business of facing Carmel in the sectional.

"Each year we're getting closer," Willingham said. "We really have a chance to close the gap this year. All I can ask of them is to give the effort and do their best. If they do that, you have to be happy."