Girls tennis
By: Nicholas Schaefer
Talent alone can only take a team so far.
Being in great shape puts that team in position to accomplish its goals.
Lawrence High School girls tennis coach Alice Leon cites strength and endurance as a crucial element for a successful season.
"We are doing a lot of working out to gain (strength and endurance)," said Leon. "It gives us a huge edge when it comes to the middle to the end of the season when girls are tired."
Training before the start of the season is critical since there is a limited amount of time available once the matches begin, according to Leon.
"Once the season starts there is no training time," Leon said. "Playing three to four matches a week for seven weeks makes for a long, grueling season."
The Cardinals will be looking to build upon their upset victory over one of New Jersey’s finest, North Brunswick, in the state tournament last year.
"They underestimated us," said Leon. "Some teams underestimate us, but they shouldn’t. We take it personally."
With a wealth of talent and experience returning, it will be hard to believe the Cardinals will be underestimated this year. Leon said her returning players know what is expected of them and how to budget their time during practice.
Senior Carmen Distinano returns after a great season at second singles.
"Carmen is one of the hardest workers I have ever seen," said Leon. "She is very fit and very steady. She puts a lot of time into the game."
Seniors Aaron Weber, Kristen Johansen, Emmille Barett, Monica Lai, and juniors Corrine Blain, Siobhan Cahiall, and Lauren Cohn round out the varsity squad.
Blain is the ultimate team player, according to Leon.
"She is a wonderful teammate," Leon said. She is the one that brings the mascot down to the court."
Rotating into the starting lineup will be seniors Lauren Adornetto and Rachael Abrams. According to Leon, both are quality players with helpful experience.
Along with experience, Leon said the Cardinals contain plenty of confidence.
"This team has realized they can win and we can play solid tennis," she said. "Our goal is to go in each match and give a fight and challenge to every team we play."
The Cardinals open their season on the road against Ewing on Sept. 7 and face powerhouse West Windsor the next day.
"The team has really developed," said Leon. "All of the varsity and junior varsity players work as a whole and push each other really hard. This should be an exciting year of tennis."