Season Recap: Rochelle girls tennis team

Young players providing hope for future of program

Russell Hodges
Posted 10/14/18

Head coach Lizzie Cartwright expressed plenty of optimism after seeing how many freshmen and sophomores came out for the Rochelle girls tennis team this year. And despite finishing the 2018 season with only one victory, Cartwright’s excitement for the future of the Lady Hub program hasn’t wavered one bit.

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Season Recap: Rochelle girls tennis team

Young players providing hope for future of program

Posted

ROCHELLE — Head coach Lizzie Cartwright expressed plenty of optimism after seeing how many freshmen and sophomores came out for the Rochelle girls tennis team this year. And despite finishing the 2018 season with only one victory, Cartwright’s excitement for the future of the Lady Hub program hasn’t wavered one bit.

Rochelle’s season concluded during the IHSA Class 1A Rochelle Sectional this past week. The Lady Hubs finished 1-13 overall, taking eighth place in the sectional and 10th place during the Northern Illinois Big 12 Conference Varsity Championships. Rochelle’s lone win came against the Morris Redskins (3-2), and the Lady Hubs scored at least one point in four of their losses.

“I think all of the girls showed improvement in their techniques and their playing ability,” Cartwright said. “I’m really pleased with how well they did… I’m definitely more hopeful and It’s great to have so many underclassmen who are doing their best and having fun. I think they really enjoy the sport.”

Rochelle will graduate three seniors from its varsity program including doubles players Jasmine Rissman and Ashlynn Leininger as well as singles player Lila Roush. The Lady Hubs could return two singles players next season who earned a lot of varsity matches this year including juniors Ruth Gardner and Caitlin McMurray.

“Our seniors have been such positive role models for the underclassmen,” Cartwright said. “We all have our inside jokes and I’m truly going to miss these girls because they’re really great influences on their teammates.”

Several underclassmen emerged in the varsity lineup throughout the season including freshmen Josie Lundquist and MeLisa Young, who worked their way up to being Rochelle’s No. 2 doubles combination by the end of the season. Sophomores Melanie Gonzalez and Sawyer McGee as well as freshman Jordin Dickey earned wins at various points of the year at No. 3 doubles. Overall, the Lady Hubs consisted of 13 freshmen and six sophomores across varsity and junior varsity this year.

“It was amazing watching them improve throughout the season,” Cartwright said. “It was really exciting to see the girls develop their skills more, and they were able to get some wins… They were scrappy, and sometimes it’s not always about how you’re able to win as long as you’re able to accomplish that.”