7/26/2012 - West Side Leader
     

COPLEY — Last season, head coach Andrea Minster said the Copley girls tennis team entered the season with the goal of winning at least half of its games. Unfortunately, a rainout of the team’s last scheduled match left Copley with a 9-10 record.

Minster said she is entering this season with the same primary goal — to finish with a .500 or better overall record.

“I plan to have at least a 50-50 season with some possible surprises along the way,” she said. “This young team continues to surprise me as I watch them in practice. They are extremely hard workers and very enthusiastic at practice.”

The coach said there are several things she hopes to see her team work through as the season progresses.

“I would like the team to develop two competitive doubles teams with the players who will be new to the varsity,” she said. “There will be many underclassmen new to the varsity for this year, a perfect combination to develop doubles teams for future play.”

Minster said her team will be leaning on a pair of players for experience this season.

“We have only two returning varsity players — one senior and one junior — and both are singles players. I believe they have been working on improving their game for the upcoming year,” she stated. “The remaining varsity prospects will be made up of returning sophomores and a couple of good freshman players.”

The team’s lone senior this year is Courtney Brown.

“She has played varsity all four years and specializes in singles,” the coach said. “She has participated in adult USTA (United States Tennis Association) matches this summer, which has improved her game and ability on the court. She will be a wonderful leader for the underclassmen and will easily gain their respect as a captain and senior player.”

The team’s other returning varsity player is junior Rachel Haumesser. According to Minster, Haumesser is one of a few of the team’s younger players who will look to stand out in the 2012 season.

“Yuri Kim, Elizabeth Tang, Sanitha Jana and Rachel Hopkins are players that have all been working consistently in the offseason to improve their game,” she said. “Along with some new players who have stood out at practices — Leah Moore, Alia Pennington and Olivia Young — all of the above players are underclassmen, and will be challenging each other daily for varsity spots. This is a good problem to have.”

In particular, Minster said, Tang is a player who could surprise people this season.

“From the few practices we have had so far this summer, Elizabeth Tang appears to have improved her game by leaps and bounds,” the coach stated. “She has been taking lessons in the offseason and is very dedicated to improving and becoming competitive. I look forward to watching her in match play.”

Minster said official tryouts for the team begin Aug. 6. Tryouts will take place starting at 3:30 p.m. each day that week.

“Any girl wanting to try out for this upcoming season should show up at the courts on the date mentioned,” the coach said.

The team’s season will begin with a scrimmage Aug. 10.

In addition to several new players, this season’s Copley girls tennis team also will have a new junior varsity coach — Cristine Braman.

“She has been involved in the Copley school system for years and her daughter, Kelsey, will be playing on the team,” Minster said. “Cris is very connected to the school system and is very enthusiastic about this new endeavor for her and the girls.”

This year marks the 15th season at Copley High School for Minster, who recently was inducted into the school’s sports hall of fame.

“I am looking forward to this season and developing a competitive team,” she said. “I know the enthusiasm is there and a great workout effort is also in place. The girls will be constantly challenging each other for position, and that should make for an interesting season. I can’t wait.”

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