Dodgers Girls Tennis Excited For a New Start

For the 2010 version of the Madison High School girls tennis team, it's pretty simple.

With a new coach comes a new outlook on the season.

Head coach John Delloiacono, an experienced tennis pro at the Noe Pond Club in Chatham and the head coach of the boys tennis team at New Providence High School, steps in this season to take the reigns at Madison.

And it's clear that Madison's senior leaders are thrilled about the change and where it can elevate them to as a group.

"He's great. He's been coaching me for years, he practically taught me how to play, so I'm really excited that he's our coach now," Emily Rutland, Madison's first singles, said. "He's going to help this program tremendously."

That, is the overwhelming feeling that's resonating on the courts behind Madison High. With a new regime comes a sense of comfort from knowing that Madison is headed in the right direction.

"It's a lot better now that we have a new coach," said Vendela Larsson, owner of the Dodgers' third singles spot. "He's very talented, it's nice to have that here."

So what can the Dodgers new head coach expect from his team in 2010?

"I expect improvement each and every time out and to be competitive in every single match," he stated before practice last week."

Rutland, a four-year starter at Madison, also has high hopes for this group of girls.

"We had a lot of potential last season, and we have a lot of good players that are returning," she said. "We've had the same core for the past few years now. But I definitely think with John coaching, we're going to be a lot better this year."

As Rutland speaks highly of her coach, the feeling is reciprocated by Delloiacono.

"Emily is our first singles player, I've had her in my program in the summer for a number of years," he said. "She's a tough competitor, a good kid and a hard worker."

While a new coach brings a different feel to the team in 2010, the girls believe that their experience and closeness are a catalyst for good things this season.

"Every single player is solid, and we don't have any weak links," Rutland said. "We all get along really well. We just have fun together."

Senior Julianna Vezza (second singles) agrees, saying, "I think because we're all seniors and we have experience, that we'll be better than we were last season. The talent just keeps growing."

Already, members of the team can see a marked improvement on the court with their new leader helping them to improve.

"I think we're going to be really good," Madison first doubles, Dana Ranney said. "We've really improved, and it's already visible. I'm looking forward to the rest of the season."

Madison will face Hanover Park in its first home match of the season on Monday at 4 p.m.