These ladies dominated the nets

RENEE LESNETT
School/grade: Canfield, sophomore.
Statistics and accomplishments: Division I state singles qualifier. Placed third at district in Cleveland and third at sectional in Canton. Winner in flight II of annual Jackson Invitational.
Name someone who has been a positive influence on your athletic career: My personal coach, Susan Cianciola, has had a strong influence on my tennis career. She develops both my strokes on the court and my mental toughness. She motivates me when I need it the most.
Best memory from this season: My qualifying match at district against Ashley Frey. I played with a broken bone in my foot since sectionals and I was in a lot of pain. I knew I needed to win and I went out to play successfully against a tough opponent.
Something people don't know about you or would be surprised to learn: I enjoy playing basketball on the JV team, as well as tennis.
RACHEL MCGOWAN
School/grade: Canfield, sophomore.
Statistics and accomplishments: Placed second in the sectional tournament and sixth in the district. Advanced to state tournament in Columbus.
Name someone who has been a positive influence on your athletic career: My parents and my coach. They are very supportive of me and my tennis and are always encouraging me to do better and work harder.
Best memory from this season: Making it to state. It was a great experience and I hope that I will go again next year.
Something people don't know about you or would be surprised to learn: I'm an avid sports fan. I love watching football, basketball and baseball, especially going to the Steelers games with my dad.
ERIN BENNETT
School/grade: Poland, senior.
Statistics and accomplishments: Team captain. First-team All-Metro Athletic Conference. Team and district qualifier in singles.
Positive influence: My high school coach, Pam Steinhauser, has been a positive influence for over four years, and Susan Cianciola, who has coached me and helped motivate my overall tennis game.
Best memory: When the whole team traveled to a MAC match in a limousine.
Surprised to learn: My favorite TV show is Alias!
EMILY BERRY
School/grade: Struthers, senior.
Statistics and accomplishments: Record of 17-6 and sixth-place finish at district tournament.
Positive influence: Frank Sachire and my parents. Frank has taught me everything I know about tennis, and my parents have been supportive every step of the way.
Best memory: My first match at the district tournament because I played a No. 1 seed from another sectional and I won.
Surprised to learn: The first time I ever played tennis was a week before our first match. I loved playing so much that I quit basketball to play all year.
BRITINI BROCKER
School/grade: Cardinal Mooney, senior.
Statistics and accomplishments: Undefeated (18-0) at No. 2 singles. Teamed with sister, Rebecca, as No. 1 seed in sectional. Won sectional title and came in sixth at district. Top five advance to state.
Positive influence: My family, especially my dad, Brad Brocker, because he has spent so much time on the court with me. He taught me everything I know about tennis. We've had so much fun together.
Best memory: Winning sectional doubles title with my sister and going to district. We always had a lot of fun playing together.
Surprised to learn: I'm the luckiest girl in the world.
REBECCA MARIE BROCKER
School/grade: Cardinal Mooney, junior.
Statistics and accomplishments: Record of 15-3 at No. 1 singles.
Positive influence: My dad, Brad Brocker, because I would have never started playing tennis if it weren't for him.
Best memory: Winning sectionals with my sister, Britini. We love to play doubles together.
KIM EZZO
School/grade: Ursuline, freshman.
Statistics and accomplishments: NEO sectional winner for 2003. Steel Valley Conference first team. Season record of 14-2.
Positive influence: Don Getz, my current coach, has had a significant influence. He completely changed my serve and added different strategies to my game. His continued support and fun approach to the game has kept tennis positive.
Best memory: When I was informed that the coaches chose me to be the top seed in the sectional.
Surprised to learn: I turned 13 on the 24th of June and skipped sixth grade while attending St. Edward School. In 2000, was No. 1 singles for the year for 10-year-olds in USTA's northeast Ohio section.
ASHLEY HOFF
School/grade: Liberty, senior.
Statistics and accomplishments: No. 3 seed in sectional tournament. Second seed in district. Advanced to district all four years during high school career. MVP for school.
Positive influence: Frank Sachire, as a teacher, coach and friend. He took the monotony out of practice and made it fun. He instilled in me that I can be a winner no matter what I attempt.
Best memory: Going to the district tournament for my fourth consecutive year.
Surprised to learn: I enjoy using my artistic abilities for fun and designing my own creations. I also have a competitive spirit and use it to succeed in sports.
TIFFANY KREPS
School/grade: Boardman, junior.
Statistics and accomplishments: Dover champion, No. 1 doubles with partner Kristin McNally. Fourth-place at No. 2 singles at Federal League Tournament. Fourth place for doubles at sectional. District qualifier. Regular-season record of 6-5 as No. 2 singles player. Three-year recognition award.
Positive influence: My private teacher, Susan Cianciola. She taught me everything I know about tennis and so much more. I've really improved over the years with her help. I look up to her for her many accomplishments.
Best memory: At the sectional against Perry. It was the match to decide if we were going to the district or not. We lost the first set and were down 2-5 in the second set. Everyone was sure that Perry was going to win, but something told me "this is ours." Somehow, Kristin, doubles partner, and I were going to turn this around. We ended up winning that set 7-6, and won the third set, 6-3. I wanted to go to districts for the first time and I wasn't going to back down.
Surprised to learn: That I am a hard worker and that I love to practice. I could practice tennis for hours and never get sick of it.
KRISTIN MCNALLY
School/grade: Boardman, senior.
Statistics and accomplishments: Four-year varsity letterwinner. First team All-Federal League. Third-place No. 1 singles at Federal League tournament. No. 1 doubles champion at Dover Invitational. 6-5 record at No. 1 singles during regular season. Fourth place in doubles at Div. I sectional.
Positive influence: My former high school coach, Jeff Hammerton. He always had the team in a positive frame of mind. We looked forward to practices and matches due to his enthusiasm, encouragement and fun. His attendance at this year's Div. I sectional helped my partner and me to qualify for district.
Best memory: My doubles partner, Tiffany Kreps, and I defeating Massillon Perry at sectional to qualify for district. We were down a set and losing, 2-5, in the second set and one game away from elimination. However, we came back to win the second set in a tiebreaker and eventually won the third set.
Surprised to learn: My favorite sport to watch is college basketball. The thing I will miss most after graduation are all the friendships I've made over the years with area tennis players, coaches and mentors.
COACH PAT PAVLANSKY
School/year: Canfield, ninth.
Statistics and accomplishments: Team finished with a 19-5 record, including 10-0 in the Metro Athletic Conference for first place. Ranked 10th in the state in Division I. Qualified sophomores Rachel McGowan and Renee Lesnett to the state tournament in singles competition, marking the first time in school history to have two singles state qualifiers in the same year. He holds an overall record of 154-34, with 16 state qualifiers and two state runner-up finishes in Div. I.
Positive influence: All of my brothers who coach and my dad who coached have all been positive influences in my career. Their constant support and advice always helped me to coach more effectively.
Best memory: When we defeated Mayfield in Cleveland on a dreary, cold, windy night, and senior Krystle Hively won an exciting three-set match to put us into the regional finals.
Surprised to learn: I teach chemistry at Canfield High School and I love to eat at Anthony's on the River.