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DIVISION I STATE TENNIS Poland tennis duo among top seeds
By Greg Gulas
POLAND
The Poland High School doubles team of Marisa Ricciardi and Audrey Schweers will take on Caroline Anderson and Meredith Breda of Cincinnati Indian Hill when the Division II girls state tennis tournament opens today in Mason.
Ricciardi, just a sophomore, is a two-year letterwinner and was the Bulldogs’ No. 1 singles player this year while Schweers, a junior who has earned three letters, played at No. 2.
Each posted a 15-2 overall mark as they helped the Bulldogs to a 16-3 overall mark and runner-up finish in the All-American Conference, Red Tier posting an 8-2 league ledger.
“We’ve practiced together since we were five or six years-old at the Boardman Tennis Club, so we pretty much know what the other one is going to do on the court,” Schweers said. “Going to state is beyond special, in order to win it all, we must play our best as it’s more than just setting up each other for the point, it’s motivating each other and maintaining a high energy level so we can remain confident throughout the tournament.”
Last year, Ricciardi and Schweers were sectional runners-up while this season they defeated Warren JFK in the sectional finals to qualify for district play and the tourney’s No. 1 seed.
At the district tournament, they defeated the Laurel Gators and then the Orange Lions in order to qualify for state, but lost in the semi-finals and advanced as the No. 4 seed from the Northeast District.
Being one of just 16 remaining doubles teams is quite exciting for Ricciardi.
“There’s a reason they’re in the state tournament and it’s because they are all amazing players,” Ricciardi said. “Everyone deserves to be there and as long as we continue to believe in ourselves and leave it all on the court, then there won’t be any regrets.
“We love the game and support one another, we play hard, but still like to have fun,” Ricciardi added.
Head coach Annie Marian said both girls complement each when on the court.
“This is the girls’ second year playing doubles together and although they showed a ton of potential last year, they have really worked hard and improved throughout this season to earn their first trip to state, they communicate really well and know each other’s games,” Marian said. “Marisa is very athletic and mentally tough; someone who places the ball well and has the strength and ability to put it away, she’s consistent, patient and waits for the right moment.”
Marian added that both players are aggressive with neither afraid to go into the net for volleys.
She noted that they complement each other by setting one another up while learning to take advantage of put-away shots.
“Audrey is also very athletic and quite competitive as well,” Marian said. “She’s aggressive and a great server who sets Marisa up at the net, Marissa is the more consistent baseliner while Audrey has the ability to put it away at any time.”
Like their Division I counterparts and All-American Conference foe, the Canfield Cardinals, all action will take place at the Lindner Family Tennis Center beginning at 9 a.m.