A sweet repeat? Cards go for two

Canfield's Rachel McGowan and Renee Lesnett will look to defend their state doubles title this weekend.
By JOE SCALZO
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
CANFIELD -- Canfield seniors Rachel McGowan and Renee Lesnett are more nervous about playing in this year's state tennis tournament than they were last year even though, in a way, they're less nervous about it because of how nervous they've been the past few years.
Don't worry, this actually makes sense.
Sort of.
"This year seemed a lot harder," said McGowan, who won a Division I state doubles title with Lesnett last season. "We didn't expect to win a state title last year. And because of that, I think this year we've had a target on our backs."
Added Lesnett, "There's just a lot more pressure and a lot more expectations."
Doing the math
That said, they won't have to worry about any big stage jitters. This will be the fourth state tournament appearance for Lesnett (two singles, two doubles) and the third for McGowan (one singles, two doubles).
"Since we've done it for a couple years, we understand what it means to go down [to the state tournament]," McGowan said. "And we've been successful, so that helps."
That hasn't changed this year. The two have cruised through sectional and district play, dropping just one set over the past two weeks to gain one of the top seeds this weekend.
"Personally, I feel like they're playing at a higher level than they were last year," said Canfield coach Pat Pavlansky. "And I think they need to.
"I think both girls feel a little bit of responsibility to defend the state title and I think that's the driving force."
The first step comes Friday afternoon at Ohio State's Stickney Tennis Center when they face Upper Arlington juniors Jackie Mason and Jayne Miely. If the Cardinals win their two Friday matches, they will advance to Saturday's semifinals.
Confidence
"We have a lot more faith, I think, but I at the same time, we can't slack off," Lesnett said. "We've been practicing really well and each match we're playing better and better."
After winning their first two state tournament matches last year by identical 6-1, 6-0 scores, McGowan and Lesnett showed their composure by winning a tough 7-6 (7-4), 6-4 match against Cincinnati Turpin's top team, then rallied from one set down to beat Richfield Revere's Sam Danesis and Carly Newman 2-6, 6-4, 6-2.
"We play a lot of really tough teams during the season, so we have the experience for when we go into any match," McGowan said. "We're always prepared for the worst."
At times, the two even practice against some of the boys on Boardman's team.
Do they win?
"Today we did," Lesnett said, laughing.
Neither player has decided on a college, but both players want to keep playing tennis after this season. McGowan plans to major in political science and Lesnett is undecided. Both are honor students, which means academics come first.
"You want to find a good match, a good coach, a good schedule and a great school," McGowan said. "Hopefully, I'll be able to find that."
Those decisions come later. For now, they'll focus on their final weekend playing high school tennis together.
"Hopefully, we can win another state title," Lesnett said.
"I'm sure in the first match we're going to be nervous," added McGowan, "but I'm looking to all the memories we're going to have. I'm sure they're going to be positive.
"In a couple more days, it'll be here. I wish it was tomorrow."
scalzo@vindy.com