Many returns for new Sweet Home coach
by PATRICK J. NAGY Reporter

New Sweet Home girls tennis coach Crystal Barnes has walked into a good situation.

The Lady Panthers welcome back many players from last year's team, beginning with first and second singles players, junior Jesse Lewandowski and senior Jennifer Osei. Both are team captains.

"Jesse is a strong player," said Barnes. "She's aggressive, knows how to react in certain situations and is knowledgeable of the game. She has a nice serve and hits with power." Barnes said Osei is a natural leader who has good technique and can read the ball.

The starting third singles is being challenged between senior Laura Hanzly and junior Kristen Derby. Hanzly played exhibition matches last year.

"Both are equal," said Barnes. "Laura's a little more aggressive than Kristen. Kristen has good placement and returns everything. She needs to improve on her volleys and movement on the court."

The student not chosen to start at third singles will play at first doubles with freshman Sarah Lewandowski.

Senior Luda Gugkaeva returns at second doubles. Gugkaeva's partner from last year, junior Lindsay Bender, is battling with sophomore Shauna Presto, an exhibition player, for the starting job.

Barnas thinks the team will be OK as long as the doubles teams work together and communicate.

"As long as we come mentally prepared, I think we're going to do all right," she added.
Sweet Home 2007 Schedule
9-12 at Hamburg ......................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-17 East ...................................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-18 at Lake Shore ..................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-19 Iroquois................................................ 4:30 p.m.
9-21 at W.S. East......................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-24 Hamburg.............................................. 4:30 p.m.
9-26 Lake Shore.......................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-28 at East ................................................. 4:30 p.m.
10-1 at Iroquois........................................... 4:30 p.m.

10-3 W.S. East ............................................. 4:45 p.m.

Amherst Central

The Lady Tigers' starting singles players are set but its doubles' teams are unknown.

Starting at first through third singles at the beginning of the season are seniors Elizabeth Greco, Daisy Timlin and Kerry Rois. Greco played second singles as a junior, Timlin moves from third singles to second singles, Rois was at fourth singles last year.

Timlin and Greco are co-captains; senior Alexandria Gilewicz is an assistant captain.

Amherst coach Eric Damiani said Greco is a strong player with good defensive skills. He said if she becomes more aggressive and offensive-minded she will do well at the position.

Damiani said Timlin plays aggressive at the net and Rois has worked hard in the off-season to earn a starting spot at third singles.

"She is gritty and has given everyone she has played a hard time," said Damiani.

Damiani said four groups of girls are battling for the starting first and second doubles positions.

With the move of Williamsville East to ECIC II, ECIC III is wide open this year.

"If we work a little harder on the court, we'll have a shot at finishing real well," said Damiani.

Amherst opened the season last Wednesday with a 3-2 squeaker over East Aurora.

They lost to Nichols, 4-1, last Friday and Williamsville North on Monday.
Amherst Central
2007 Schedule
9-12 South.................................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-14 at Depew ............................................. 4:30 p.m.
9-17 at Starpoint ......................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-19 Cheektowaga ...................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-21 at Maryvale ......................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-24 at South ............................................... 4:30 p.m.
9-26 Depew.................................................. 4:30 p.m.
9-28 Starpoint.............................................. 4:30 p.m.
10-1 at Cheektowaga ................................. 4:30 p.m.
10-3 Maryvale .............................................. 4:30 p.m.
e-mail: pnagy@beenews.com