Area girls tennis teams will be looking for bigger and better things this season as the 2011 season gets into full swing around the area this week.
Two schools, Upper Sandusky and Fostoria, are already off to good starts after winning their season openers Monday. The Rams blanked Kenton 5-0 in a non-conference match while the Redmen are coming off a 3-2 opening-day win over Rossford. Bluffton, meanwhile, dropped a 4-1 decision to Lima Shawnee to open its season.
All four teams posted losing records in 2010.
• Upper Sandusky is moving to a new league and Shelly Simon is the school’s new head coach. The Rams have four letterwinners back from last year’s 8-11 team that was seventh in the Northern Ohio League.
The Rams have moved from the NOL to the North Central Conference this season. They could just compete for the first-ever NCC tennis crown this year as Bucyrus, Ontario, Crestline and Galion are members of the conference that sponsor the sport.
• Fostoria also left the NOL for the Northern Buckeye Conference but only the Redmen and Rossford have tennis programs. Jennifer Abell is in her seventh year as coach and has five lettermen on her 10-player roster made up of all juniors and seniors.
• Bluffton coach Jesse Sensenig welcomes back his top doubles team of senior Ashlin Gable and junior Emily Sprague. The two teamed up for a 15-3 record last season at No. 1 doubles for the Pirates.
• Ottawa-Glandorf has an inexperienced team back for fourth-year coach Mary Ellen Lehman. Senior Kathy Arnold, a two-year letterwinner, and junior Kim Kahle are both back at No. 2 doubles for the Titansm, who were eighth last season in the Western Buckeye League.
Fostoria and Ottawa-Glandorf will compete in the Division II sectional tournament at Archbold, Bluffton will be at the sectional at the University of Northwestern Ohio in Lima and Upper Sandusky will compete in the Shelby Sectional on Oct. 6 and 8.
Bluffton
HEAD COACH: Jesse Sensenig (2nd year).
2010 RECORD/CONFERENCE FINISH: 6-9 overall/No conference.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Ashlin Gable, sr., doubles; Kristi Geiser, sr., doubles/singles; Emily Sprague, jr., doubles; Rachel Selhorst, jr., singles.
TOP PROSPECTS: Shaye Lydick, jr.; Bronwyn Grier, jr.
NOTABLE: Sensenig has already seen imrprovement from his team through the first couple of weeks of practice. He things the Pirates will be able to surprise a opposing few teams this season.
Fostoria
HEAD COACH: Jennifer Abell (12th year, 30-124).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 3-14 overall, 2-12 Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kali August, sr., 4-21; Breanna Beard, sr., 6-18; Karlee Grine, sr., 1-14; Danielle Walter, sr., 0-23; Cori Garrett, jr., 4-21.
TOP PROSPECTS: Kendal McCoy, jr., singles/doubles; Angelica Esquivel, jr., doubles; Allycia Sandoval, jr., doubles; Lauren Risner, jr., doubles; Seth Poole, sr., doubles.
NOTABLE: Look for Fostoria to improve this season with five seniors and five juniors on the roster.
Ottawa-Glandorf
HEAD COACH: Mary Ellen Lehman (4th year, 34-22).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 6-8 overall, 2-7 Western Buckeye League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Kathy Arnold, sr.; Kim Kahle, jr.; Melissa Crumrine, jr.; Ashley Heckman, jr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Haley Inniger, jr.; Mikayla Lammers, jr.; Meagan Palte, sr.; Jessica Ricker, jr.; Sarah Setser, jr.; Melissa Warnimont, jr; Kayla Smith, jr.; Brooke Naveau, sr.; Alli Parker, jr.; Amy Schmiedebusch, soph.; Nicole Siefker, jr.
NOTABLE: It may be a rebuilding year in Ottawa this season. Just one returning player competed in every match for the Titans last year.
Upper Sandusky
HEAD COACH: Shelly Simon (1st year).
2010 CONFERENCE FINISH: 8-11 overall/5th in Northern Ohio League.
RETURNING LETTERWINNERS: Brittany Kay Lemaster, sr.; Keera Saylor, sr.; Kelsey Collins, sr.; Kaylynn Thorton, sr.
TOP PROSPECTS: Lauren Vinson, sr.; Kristina Thiel, sr.; Megan Pasco, jr.; Alesha Franz, jr.; Taylor Clark, jr.; Jenny Ohler, jr.; Logan Pierson, jr.; Shelby Alspach, jr.; Desiree Young, jr.; Kilee Saylor, soph.; Taylor Dilley, soph.; Fiona Bather, soph.
NOTABLE: Thorton and Lemaster teamed up to have a winning record in doubles play last season for the Rams. Collins and Saylor, meanwhile, return as singles players.