Romer pleased with tennis successes this season

With the Tippecanoe girls tennis season now complete for a few weeks, coach Jack Romer reflected back on what turned out to be another outstanding season with another MVL title for the girls and a near appearance at the state tournament for one of their doubles teams. 

“I'm very happy with the season and very proud of how the girls performed and competed  this season,” Romer said. “We accomplished a lot of our goals this season with winning the MVL, having players advance to the district tournament and winning a match at districts which we did not accomplish in my first season.”

“The consistency we had on most of the courts was great to see too as it allowed us to build momentum and confidence on every court as the season progressed on. Players could focus on how they were playing and not bounce between singles and doubles. It allowed us to work on doubles a lot more than we could do last year. It also allowed our singles players to build on singles tactics and work on how they could win matches easier.”

With some new faces back in August and the goal of capturing another league crown, Romer saw some improvement throughout the season. 

“The growth of our younger players that didn’t have a lot of experience showed as the season progressed that our depth was growing and was getting better,” Romer said. “It will help the team next season as we need to replace two varsity players. The singles players got more confidence throughout the season too as Maddy Lieber played second singles all year whereas her first year she bounced between varsity and JV. She gained confidence and started beating high level players and was very close to making it to districts.”

“Bre Kovaleski finished the season strong also after being unseeded at sectionals beating two seeded players to qualify and be the three seed at districts, competing with a great player from Indian Hill to finish her tennis career strong. She will have a great college career.” 

The doubles team of Mary Waibel and Eve McCormick were within one set of advancing to the state tournament, and both put together a very memorable season for the Red Devils.

“They just competed every match and beat several great teams like Mariemont, Springboro and Troy,” Romer said. “At the district tournament they were seeded #1 after winning the sectional championship. They started the day beating a good team from Seven Hills 6-3 6-3. In the next match against CCDS we won the first set and dropped the next two in very close sets. At one point we were one point away from making it to the state tournament.”

“Mary and Eve for the most part were one of the best doubles teams in the Dayton area. They were voted first-team all MVTCA. Eve tied the school record for most doubles wins in a season.”

Now it is about replacing those key seniors for next year, and Romer knows how important they were and is ready for the next ones waiting in the wings.

“Bre Kovaleski and Eve McCormick mean a lot to this team; they were the team captains and great leaders,” Romer said. “They don’t realize how much they have helped me since I took over coaching and without them I don't think we would have been as successful. There is not enough words for how much I appreciate them and what they have done and will be a huge loss to the team next year.”

“For players that can step into those roles as leaders I think all the returning varsity players will have a role Mary Waibel, Maddy Lieber, Jillian Schroeder, Sammi Kozen and Penny Bathgate all will bring great leadership with them in their different styles.”