Vets building with new-look group

Posted 9/9/14

Even as it moved into a new division and lost some of its depth from a highly successful era, the Warwick Vets girls’ tennis team has managed to hold its own the last few years.

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Vets building with new-look group

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Even as it moved into a new division and lost some of its depth from a highly successful era, the Warwick Vets girls’ tennis team has managed to hold its own the last few years.

It may be more of a challenge to do that this year, with the ’Canes behind their usual pace at the start, but new head coach Tamra Gallo is optimistic that the year can serve as a new foundation.

“I just got appointed a couple of weeks ago, so it’s been a little tough,” Gallo said. “I really only have two players who have played before, so it’s very much an emerging team. They are definitely improving, they’re smart girls and they’re a super, super nice group of girls. It’s going to be a fun season.”

Vets went 6-8 last year and just missed out on a playoff spot. Before that, the team had put together three straight seasons at .500 or better.

Gone from last year’s team is four-year standout Lauren Smith, one of the top players in Division III a year ago. The ’Canes also lost three others to graduation, leaving this year’s team with a pretty big experience gap.

“I have a lot of young players,” Gallo said. “We spent a few days on teaching scoring, position on the court playing doubles. It’s a lot of basics.”

The ’Canes do have some experience at the top of the singles ladder, where sophomore Corinne Gregoire is the anchor. Gregoire jumped right into the singles lineup as a freshman last year and climbed all the way up to No. 2, behind Smith. She finished with a 10-3 record.

Gregoire is sliding up to No. 1 this year.

“Corinne has been playing for quite a while,” Gallo said. “She’s very strong. Awesome serve, pretty solid all-around game, good at the net, forehand, backhand. She’s going to do well.”

Junior Olivia Murray has grabbed the No. 2 spot. She did not play for the ’Canes last year, but has some tennis experience.

“She used to play and is back into it for the first time in a while,” Gallo said. “She’s coming along beautifully. She has really taken to it.”

Senior Phone Htoo and sophomore MacKenzie Mills, both of whom were on the team last year, round out the singles lineup.

In doubles, Stephanie Racca and Jillian Harris are teaming up in the top spot. Alyssa Flanagan and Julia Hallman are at No. 2 and Xinnie Mai and Kacie DeLuca are at No. 3.

“They’re all very coachable, which I love,” Gallo said. “If I give them some instruction, they really heed that advice.”

With their inexperience, the ’Canes have struggled a bit in the early going, losing a pair of 7-0 decisions to start the season. But improvement is the bigger focus than results at the moment, both for this year and next.

“I want them to love it and I want them to come back next year,” Gallo said. “I think I’m going to have a nice group next year with a skill base that we don’t have this year. Tennis is a life sport, and if they develop a love for it, that’s a beautiful thing. That’s really my goal.”

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