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Canfield tennis duo has plan for state tourney
CANFIELD
Canfield High senior Gabrielle Brant might be making her first trip to the state tennis tournament, but she knows how to plan for success there.
“We have to focus. Focus and concentrate,” said Brant who will team with junior Allison Pavlansky in the state Division I doubles meet that begins Friday.
Both members of the Cardinal tennis tandem were accomplished singles players during the season, but they did get some experience in doubles competition.
For much of the season, Pavlansky played No. 1 singles and Brant was No. 2 singles for the Cardinals.
At the state, the Canfield pair will open with a squad from Upper Arlington.
In an ironic coincidence, they lost to this Upper Arlington pair in the first round of the Canfield Doubles Classic this fall, 10-4.
It was Pavlansky and Brant’s first time playing doubles together this season.
“We’ve improved a ton,” Pavlansky said.
Brant added “It was our first match and we’re playing a lot better together now.”
Pavlansky played in the state doubles tournament last year, losing in the second round, and she carries some experience this time around.
“I kind of know what to expect,” Pavlansky said.
Brant figures that meeting the Upper Arlington team a second time could be an advantage.
“We’re going down to beat them,” Brant said.
“We play off each other; Gabby gets real excited and I know what to expect,” Pavlansky said.
Since the postseason began, the Canfield pair are undefeated (9-0) and last weekend they won the Oberlin District, going 4-0 there.
The state tournament will be contested at the Ohio State University Outdoor Varsity Tennis Courts, beginning Friday.