Veteran Tennis Coach Sets High Goals for New Season

After 31 years of coaching, the Hartland varsity tennis team’s coach, Judy Jagdfeld says that she is “still excited as ever” to begin coaching her 61st team at Hartland. The veteran coach came into this season with a goal of taking her young team to the A tournament for their division this year.

In a tiered- conference, only the top three teams from each division will play at the highest-level tournament and Jagfeld is confident her team can reach their goals.

“In the west division, we have some really big competitors,” Jagfeld said. “Out of the 24 (teams), we have Grand Blanc, which they’re always huge. Brighton will give us a good run and I think Pinkney has improved, but we should do well in the district." 

Jagfeld is looking to her strong singles players to add points for their team but says that the experience some of her players bring for doubles play will also help advance the whole team this season as well.

According to senior captain Abby Haughie who plays singles, the game and strategy is completely different than when playing doubles.

“Singles is a lot of a mind game,” Haughie said. “Beause you have no one to cheer you up and it’s actually a completely different game. Where you hit the ball is completely different and just being by yourself, the dynamic is completely different.”

Senior captain and doubles player Caitie Helm, agrees saying that good communication is needed for a successful pairing on the court.

Both girls also agree that this season, the team to beat for Hartland will be Grand Blanc.

“They’re a really strong team,” Haughie said. “And I think everyone just wants to beat them because we haven’t beaten them.”

The 2012 Varsity Tennis Team Roster

• Rachel Byron- sophomore
• Swan Germain- sophomore
• Lauren Harrison- junior
• Abby Haughie- senior captain
• Lexie Hayes- junior
• Caitie Helm- senior captain
• Michelle Hoffman- junior
• Clare Holden- sophomore
• Hadley Knudsen- sophomore
• Blair Pellatt- junior
• Alex Piper- junior
• Kara Schiller- junior
• Laura Seifert- junior
• Kelly Shanahan- junior
• Lauren Smith- junior

Managers: Connor Cothran and Drew Peck
Head Coach: Judy Jagdfeld
Asst. Coach: Dan Steiner