Wooster tennis team looking to make imprint on OCC tournament
brian questel
September 19, 2012
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092412 Tennis
Promo: General netters look to continue strong play into OCC tournament
Wooster tennis team looking to make imprint on OCC tournament
By Brian Questel
When the Wooster High tennis team got off to a 1-2 start, Wooster coach Stan Burris wondered what was in store for his team.
A month later, he has a pretty good answer.
The Generals improved to 9-3 and remained unbeaten in the Ohio Cardinal Conference following a win over Ashland Sept. 18. They faced the big dog of the OCC two days later when the Generals played never-beaten Lexington – as in never beaten in the decade-long history of the OCC Lady Lex -- in their OCC regular-season finale. Regardless of that outcome, Wooster was poised for a strong showing in the OCC tournament, which will be played at Ashlands Brookside Park on Saturday, Sept. 29, beginning at 9 a.m.
We got off to a slow start – 1-2 -- and lost a couple of close ones, said Burris, whose team entered the year with high expectations. I wasnt sure how we would do. Weve won some close ones (but) we have got better every match and had the kids step up. We have had some good, steady efforts from kids once they settled in. Everyone is competing and we compete well all the way through the lineup.
When they are down, they pull things out and they fight to the end. We had a lot of kids back from last year who competed well then and they have pulled everyone along in the same mindset.
Wooster locked into a set rotation after the second match and weve had pretty much the same guys in place since then, said Burris.
Senior Ally Bucher has been at the top for Wooster at No. 1 singles and she has compiled a 10-7 mark (4-1 OCC) with a make-up match against Ashland to wrap up as that match was cancelled because of darkness.
Behind her is junior Amanda Petit, who has compiled a 14-4 ledger (5-1 OCC), while senior Corrine Landers has had an equally impressive campaign with a 14-3, 6-0 mark in the books at No. 3 singles.
At first doubles, seniors Maggie Guttman and Claire Ballard have fashioned a 14-1, 6-0 mark, while the second doubles team of Jenna Roberts (junior) and Allie Long (sophomore) have gone 7-6, 3-3 this season.
Our seniors have played really strong, said Burris. The kids who played last year with (then-No. 1) Sami Murphy saw her really great work ethic and our seniors have kept it rolling. They may have moved up or moved into new slots, but they are still really competitive kids.
I wasnt sure how we would do this year (without Murphy). That was a sure point for a couple years except against really tough teams. I wasnt sure who would step up, but the good news was all the seniors who came back have shouldered the load. Im hoping that becomes how we do business and we continue to go out and work hard and play down to the wire. Win or lose, we want to play all the way through.
Bucher made the big jump to No. 1 and has been strong at the top of Woosters lineup.
Ally played No. 3 last year, said Burris. She has a competitive attitude. She played quite a bit over the summer and took some lessons. She likes to compete and push herself. Its the same with Petit. She works hard and shes playing great tennis. Either one of these kids could have been No. 1 and we would have been OK.
Corinne played second doubles or subbed at third singles last year, so shes been an important part (of a winning team). Shes unbeaten in conference play and she played a really good Ashland player (Tuesday) and won 6-3, 6-2 after losing to her in the Ashland Invitational (Sept. 15). She turned around and avenged that loss a couple of days later. It was a good win for her.
Maggie and Claire are playing great tennis. They are working well as a team and their only loss is to Hoover. If they are not state ranked, they should be. They were 11-0 when we played them. Claire is a super athlete and Maggie is steady and they complement each other well.
The OCC tournament will be a tight one Burris noted.
Going into the tournament, only a few points will separate West Holmes, Orrville, Ashland and Wooster, said Burris. Even though we beat them in head-to-head, with the way we score (OCC tennis), everyone has to show up and play well if you want to hold or advance your positions. I know I dont want to concede anything – we have to wait until the ball is tossed up and see how we do.
