GHS opens tennis season at Eagles

Wednesday, April 13, 2016
Bailey Zapp of Greencastle reaches to get a ball against Lena Rutz Tuesday. Zapp took the win. (Banner Graphic/JAY LOCKETT)

While many softball and baseball fields across the state were still damp from Monday's rain, Tuesday yielded great weather for tennis. The Greencastle girls' tennis team took on its county rival at South Putnam and came away victorious in its opening match of the season.

While the Tiger Cubs swept the Eagles, coach SPHS John Briones was encouraged to see his girls working to get better at this point in the season.

"So far in practices and in the matches I've seen steady improvement," Briones said. "Some more so than others. But as a coach that's one thing you look forward to. I'm looking forward to them to start playing more aggressive and a little more confident. We are a young team so we are going to lack that confidence and aggressiveness."

Eagle Lena Rutz returns against Bailey Zapp on Tuesday in the No. 1 singles slot at South Putnam. (Banner Gaphic/JAY LOCKETT)

The No. 1 and No. 2 doubles matches each went 6-0 in favor of the Tiger Cubs. GHS coach Kevin Rowe wants his players to get themselves ready for a lengthy and exciting season.

"Be excited and be confident but be ready," Rowe said. "It's a long season. Once we get started we have a match almost every other day. We think we can accomplish a lot this year. So we want to have that even keel of being confident but also being ready for whatever comes our way."

Rachel Cadd won 6-0, 6-0 in the No. 2 singles slot for Greencastle against Alex Lesko and Madison Trout of GHS defeated Adie Clifford 6-0, 6-0.

Though his team is young, Briones said that more confidence will lead to better play on the part of the Eagles, which will make for a tougher South Putnam team.

"With the confidence they can start to hit the ball harder," Briones said. "If they lose a point they tend to back off their groundstrokes. they just don't hit the ball like they should."

Lena Rutz was the only Eagle to score, falling to Bailey Zapp in the No. 1 singles spot 6-3, 6-1.

"Everyone was focused regardless of the score," Rowe said. "South Putnam had some good players and we remained focused throughout in each match. No matter who we play moving forward it's going to be a battle despite age or grade level.

"We do bring some experience but we will see some teams with more experience than us," Rowe continued. "It's nice to have seniors on the court. A lot of times they are my voice out there. They are leading the way and doing things that I would normally be doing. They also encourage the younger players as well as each other to take the next step. Greencastle tennis has gotten better in recent years and I think we are excited about what we can accomplish this year."

Briones, who has only one senior, wants to instill in the younger players that more aggressive play will lead to improvement.

"The hardest part is to get them to be more confident," Briones said. "I have to instill that they are getting better. Once they start feeling like they are getting better they'll be more confident. Alex is one kid that you can put anything in front of her and she's going to give it her best shot. She has a great attitude, good work ethic and I think the other girls are going to see that and follow suit."

South Putnam will play Wednesday at Turkey Run and Greencastle will be at home against West Vigo on Thursday.

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