North girls tennis loaded with experience

Williamsville North's Tina Miller should be one of the top singles players in Western New York this fall.

The 2006 version of the Williamsville North varsity girls tennis team has something that no other Lady Spartans roster has had.

"This is the first year that the top 13 of 19 players all have club experience and are playing year round," said North head coach Hilary Nichols.

Coming off a great showing last season at ECICs, Section VI Championships, and New York State play, North only graduated one key contributor in Allison Cornwall. Cornwall was a state competitor in doubles, pairing with current senior Esha Dasgupta, to advance to the second round. They both joined singles player and two-time state competitor, freshman Tina Miller.

Nichols said the top seven players have been secured through intra-team challenge matches and a preseason match with Williamsville South.

"I feel extremely confident in our number eight and nine alternate players to fill in if need be," Nichols said.

Miller, sophomore Andrea Lovrincevic, and Dasgupta will play first through third singles. Sophomore Jacqueline Mistretta and freshmen Kelly Matthews will be strong at first doubles. Eighth grader Maddie Robinson and junior Kiran Malhi will most likely be the combo at second doubles. Four of the seven starters have ECIC and sectional tournament experience under their belts, Nichols said.

Miller walks through the doors of North for the first time this year even thought it is her third season as a Lady Spartan. Her high school career resume boasts a 23-1 league record. She qualified for states as a seventh and eighth grader.

"Her ultimate goal, of course, is being a state champion," said Nichols. "Not many can say they have assisted in turning a team around as well as going on as an individual. It is an elite position held in high school tennis."

Nichols calls Lovrincevic a ball of fire.

"She is always eager to play," said Nichols. "She has a tremendous love for the game. Her style of play is a well-rounded one. She can pin you to the baseline then drop shot you when you least expect it."

Dasgupta is a four-year member who Nichols said is consistently in a singles slot.

"Between second and third singles over the years, Esha played a consistent game outlasting her opponents in long rallies," said Nichols. "Every team needs a player like her."

Mistretta just missed a singles position this season but has two more years on the team to slide in, Nichols said.

"She has an even temper mixed with a quiet leadership," said Nichols. "This will enable her to assist Matthews in playing a smart style of doubles - setting up the point for the winner."

Nichols said Malhi has seen her share of partners since eighth grade and she now has an eighth grader as a partner in Maddie Robinson.

Nichols said Malhi's experience paired with Robinson's enthusiasm for the game will yield results.

"They will not have it easy at second doubles against the more consistent teams," said Nichols. "I know they are up for the challenge."

Dasgupta, Mistretta, and senior Kelsey Marie Till are team captains.

Nichols said Orchard Park is probably the strongest overall team in Division I although Clarence and Lancaster have tough individual tennis players as a backbone.

"It's only fitting that we finish in first place," Nichols joked. "In 2004, we placed third and last year we placed in the No. 2 spot."
        North 2006 Schedule
9-14 at Clarence........... 4:45 p.m.
9-15 at Nichols..................... TBA
9-18 Orchard Park....... 4:30 p.m.
9-20 Lancaster.............. 4:45 p.m.
9-21 at Frontier............ 4:45 p.m.
9-25 Jamestown ................ 5 p.m.
9-27 Clarence ............... 4:45 p.m.
9-28 at Orchard Park .. 4:45 p.m.
9-29 at John F. Kennedy..... TBA
10-3 at Lancaster ......... 4:45 p.m.
10-4 Frontier................. 4:30 p.m.