By DAVID WOOD, for The Democrat
Brown County’s varsity girls tennis team started the season down three senior players, each with six years of experience.
“You always hate to lose the leadership of people who’ve played for a long time,” Head Coach Thom Miller said.
“It’s hard to replace the experience, but I think these guys have been really working hard,” he said about his new team. “They’ve been hitting during the off-season and I’m seeing big improvements.”
The now-junior-heavy lineup seemed poised to effortlessly fill in the gaps left behind.
[sc:text-divider text-divider-title=”Story continues below gallery” ]“I definitely feel better about the team right now than I did with last year’s team at this time,” Miller said.
The lone senior this season, Baelyn Koester, has taken over the No. 1 singles spot from Hallee Miller, daughter of Coach Miller and the former team captain.
“It’s kind of crazy. Hallee and I were really good friends, and so it’s cool to be able to fill in for her No. 1 spot,” Koester said.
With four years of tennis experience and success as the volleyball team’s libero, it’s up to Koester to take over where Hallee left off.
“Being in that leadership role is a nice feeling, and I enjoy it,” she said. “A lot of it is just setting the example of going for every ball. Be there and be present during practice. Hustle for everything and be mentally focused.”
Koester put her words on display during the squad’s first regular season match against Franklin Community High School last week, dispatching her opponent in two successive 6-1 sets.
“I was really happy with how Baelyn played and won. … She does everything I need her to do without even asking her to do it. She is a natural leader,” Coach Miller said.
“If I could only have one senior, she’s the perfect one to have, because people look up to her.”
Alongside Koester, the No. 2 doubles team of juniors Cassidy Davis and Hannah Asher were victorious during the season opener.
As a team, the Eagles dropped the match 2-3 with the roster still in flux and undergoing evaluation.
“As far as my doubles, I’m not sure what combination I want right now. They’re doing a lot of things I like seeing, but I can also see some things we need to be working on,” Miller said.
Moving up from their No. 2 doubles position from last year are sisters Olivia and Grace Baughman, who played at No. 1 doubles during the match.
Sophomore Julia Williams stepped into the No. 2 singles position and junior Meg Smith took a shot at No. 3 singles.
“I thought Julia and Meg played well, but they’re still working on some things too and I like how they’re coming along. They still have some work to do,” Miller said.
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Varsity
Senior: Baelyn Koester
Juniors: Hannah Asher, Grace Baughman, Olivia Baughman, Cassidy Davis, Meg Smith
Sophomore: Julia Williams
JV
Juniors: Claire Dannelley, Katie Goodwin
Sophomores: Calla Imming, Emelia Koester
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