Four seniors lead Poland tennis team

August 28, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

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By GREG GULAS

After going 12-5 overall last season and 5-3 in All-American Conference, Red Tier play, head coach John Hritz is cautiously optimistic that his team can improve on those numbers this season.

The second-year girls coach concedes it will still be a challenge to unseat Canfield, who was 17-2 overall last season, went undefeated in the league and has already knocked off the defending Division I state champs, Cleveland Magnificat this season.

“We have a solid nucleus from which to build, however, we will be without our No. 1 singles player, Gabrielle Brocker, for the first two weeks of the season,” Hritz stated.

Lost to graduation were seniors Courtney Benson and twins Julie and Allison Rice.

Four seniors do return to the fold to provide much needed leadership, both on and off the court.

They include Brocker, Danielle Mullis (No. 2 singles), Katie Slaven (No. 2 doubles) and Rachel Vari (No. 2 doubles).

Two juniors, Amy Knoll (No. 3 singles) and Cassie Wylie will be counted upon by Hritz to kick their games up a notch. The No. 3 doubles team of Madeline Queen and Celia Melillo, just sophomores, are poised for a breakout season.