FREMONT – The 2019 girls tennis season is going to have to require a change in mindset. From the players on through to coach Lisa Wolfe and her staff, goals for the Lady Giants on the tennis court will be more modest than in recent years.
While Ross is coming off back-to-back 16-4 seasons with loads of team and individual success, the Lady Giants are full of fresh faces, many of whom are learning the game from scratch. It presents Wolfe with a challenge she’s never quite encountered before in her coaching career.
Ross’ only returning letter-winner is senior Vivyanna Esquivel, who played last season at either No. 3 singles or No. 2 doubles. As the Lady Giants’ lone returning veteran, she will be faced with the daunting task of being the team’s No. 1 singles player night-in and night-out.
While some matches will be difficult in the Three Rivers Athletic Conference, Esquivel has the mental make-up to withstand the adversity sure to come with the position.
Vivyanna Esquivel
“I used her as an example last week that when you’re playing tennis you need to show zero emotion, winning or losing,” Wolfe said. “I should be able to look from two courts down at your composure and, without looking at the scorecard, I should not be able to tell whether you’re winning or losing. Let that point go that you just lost and go get that next point. She has very good court presence.
“She will see some wins at No. 1 singles and that is what she wants to do,” Wolfe added. “She’s working very hard out there at singles, she continued to be on top of any round-robin that we have. She knows what her job is going to be.”
While Esquivel is firmly entrenched atop the lineup, the rest of the roster may go through shifts to find the right fits, particularly at doubles. While Wolfe believes Ross may have some suitable doubles talent, finding the right chemistry between partners may be a case of trial and error in the early going.
Thursday night the Lady Giants opened their season at home hosting Oak Harbor in a 5-0 loss. Esquivel lost her opening set 0-6 before rebounding for a 6-4 win – Ross’ only set victory of the match. Esquivel, however, lost a third-set tiebreaker 5-10.
Freshman Trinity Smith started at No. 2 singles and lost 0-6, 1-6 and Lucy Miller fell at No. 3 singles, 0-6, 1-6.
Alexis Huff and Morgan Shetzer kicked off the season at No. 1 doubles with a 3-6, 1-6 defeat and Shea Smith and Ava Smith fell at No. 2 doubles, 1-6, 1-6.
Shea Smith, Miller, Regan Matt and Brynn Ruppert began the fall season involved in other sports before being recruited to join the tennis team by Wolfe. She said their athleticism will give her team needed depth.
“They’re great girls, great athletes,” Wolfe said. “…I’m going to teach them how to love another sport.”
The success of this season will be measured differently than in years past. With a group so young and inexperienced, the Lady Giants will be measuring victory in progress and growth on the court.
“It’s going to be a matter of watching them grow throughout the season and seeing the confidence grow throughout the season,” Wolfe said. “I think as long as the coaches continue to praise and talk about positives they see on the court (morale will remain high). We’re going to do our best to keep everything positive. That will be our job.”
The Lady Giants will return to the court Monday against Tiffin Columbian.