Tennis squad ready for another run
With the new season underway, second-year Tippecanoe girls tennis coach Jack Romer is ready for another chance at a league championship. Tipp has dominated the Miami Valley League since its inception, and he feels that success can continue again in 2025.
“I think we will have a highly competitive team this year very similar to last year and honestly probably more competitive then last year,” he said. “The group of players really focused on getting better and many players have taken huge steps in their development. We should have strong singles players at all positions and a lot of players have the versatility to succeed on the doubles court.” “We should continue our strong doubles play this year with our players being quick and aggressive in doubles. Being strong in volleys and placement of shots will help us on all courts to repeat as league champions.”
With a league title first on their list of goals, Romer knows this team could take their success to a higher level including making a run deep into the playoffs. “The first goal and expectation like every year is to repeat as MVL Champions,” Romer said. “This would be step one for us to have a successful season as it means we are still the team to beat in the league and we want to stay that way. “Next goal is to have more players advance to Districts - having two doubles teams and one singles player advance was a successful season last year but we are shooting for having more advance this year in the singles. Our third goal is to finish higher in the MVTCA tennis rankings than last year. Finishing higher will show how the hard work we have put in translates into the regular season.” Tipp will be led by senior Bre Kovaleski, a player you can read about elsewhere this week in the Gazette.
“Bre played second singles last year and she brings leadership to the team as captain,” Romer said. “She was undefeated at second singles in the league last year and finished with over 16 wins. She has expectations of winning the league and to play in college where she has several colleges looking at her.” Mary Waibel is a sophomore who moves up from doubles last season and will compete at the second singles spot for the Red Devils.
“She was a district qualifier and brings a high level to second singles, plays aggressive and hard which should lead to a great season,” the Tipp coach said. “I expect her to run the second singles court all year and have a good amount of post season success.” At third singles will be another sophomore as Maddy Lieber looks to put together a successful season.
“Maddy played a bunch of different roles last season and brings consistency to third singles which should be a huge reason why we win a lot of close matches,” Romer said. “I expect that she will provide a strong consistent presence on the court and should have great success in the MVL and post season.” First doubles will be senior Eve McCormick and Jillian Schroeder. “Eve will be the vocal leader on the doubles courts and is coming back after a strong doubles run last year and her partner Jillian played third singles last year,” Romer said. “They should form a strong doubles team with strong rallies and the ability to end the point up at the net a lot.” Romer added that the second doubles team of Sydney LaBreck and Sammi Kozen brings experience and success to the court this season. “Sydney brings doubles experience back with her which should lead to a strong season with her partner Sammi, who brings a consistent positive presence to the courts and she has good ability at the net which should help lead to a successful season,” Romer said.
The coach added Penny Bathgate could be a player who brings her leadership to help this season, along with Eve Clune, Hadley Maggard and Clara Cantrell.
