Fall Sports Preview: Girls' Tennis Hopes to Hit Back

The 2009 season was tough for the Hopatcong girls' tennis squad, which finished 1-14.

But as they prepare for a new season, the Chiefs expect to be far more competitive in 2010.

"We have a lot of returning varsity players," Hopatcong coach Traci Duffy said. "I think we have the ability to be more competitive this season, and we're hoping to do that."

 Leading the Chiefs this year will be team captains Haley Kearns, Felicity Meyer and Ashley Facciola.

While the Chiefs are still competing in challenge matches to determine their status for singles and doubles competition, Kearns is the likely first-team singles player for Hopatcong.

"Haley has really improved tremendously over the last two seasons," Duffy said. "She performed very well in last year's Tri-County Tournament. She placed eighth out of 16 players. There was some strong competition in that tournament, so it was really a big deal. Haley did a nice job."

Between leading the team in stretching exercises and helping coordinate the preliminary challenge matches, Kearns expressed optimism for both her chances and the teams for this season.

"I think we're in good shape," Kearns said. "We only lost two people from last season, and everybody has been working hard on improving their game."

Kearns said she feels more confident playing singles competition now that she has a full season of singles experience under her belt.

"Last year was my first year playing singles matches. I'll be much more comfortable out there this year," Kearns said. "I have a better understanding of what my strengths and weaknesses are, so I know what I need to work on to get where I want to be."

Kearn's goals for the season where modest, but she delivered them emphatically.

"I want to win a few more games than last year, both individually and as a team," Kearns said.

Felicity Meyer says she has noticed marked improvements in her own game and anticipates that they will serve her well during the season.

"I've been working hard on improving the precision of my shots," Meyers said. "I think I have definitely become more precise with my placement. I've also put a lot of effort into improving my backhand."

But Meyers added that there is still much work left to be done.

"I just need to keep practicing to get ready for the season," Meyers said.

Although the season opener at Morristown-Beard on Sept. 7 is drawing close, Duffy said that the majority of the positions are still to be determined.

"As far as most of the team, anybody has the ability to beat anybody else on a given day," Duffy said. "We could conceivably be finalizing positions right up until the day before the season."

 As the days tick away until the Chiefs' season, Duffy anticipates her team will face a stiff challenge as Hopatcong looks to improve on last season's performance.

But it is a challenge the Chiefs relish.

"The Morris County teams are very competitive," Duffy said. "A lot of those players are practically born with a racket in their hands. The season opener should be intense."