With a new head coach and 10 players returning from last year’s team, the Lake Orion High School varsity girls tennis team is hoping to challenge for a top spot in OAA II.
Their new coach is Eric Bracciano, who comes to the Dragons with two years of varsity coaching experience at Fenton.
Bracciano, an English and math teacher at the CERC for the past three years, has also been teaching tennis professionally for nine years.
‘I want to help them with their court awareness,? Bracciano said of Lake Orion. ‘I’m hoping to improve their strategy in matches, and help them with their techniques.?
Returning to the varsity team are: Caitlin Young, Sara Doelle, Kristen Limback, Stephanie Costigan, Vanessa Fonbuena, Jennifer Bandico, Jessica Davis, Alysha Enjaian, Kristen Humes and Lauren Stoffel.
New to the varsity this year are Allison Diven, Lauren Bechard, Kathryn Rice and German exchange student Annie Sauer.
‘We’ve had good workouts all week,? Braccciano said after the team’s first week of practice, which started Aug. 15.
‘We have strong number one and two singles, and we have a lot of senior leadership,? he said.
Bracciano said the team will look to improve their doubles play.
‘We want to be competitive, if not win the league,? he said. ‘We’d also like to qualify for the state competition.?
Bracciano said Lake Orion will see the same teams in OAA II that they played against last season.
‘Clarkston has strong singles this year,? he said. ‘And West Bloomfield is a tough team. Rochester also had strong singles.
‘I think we’ll be well-rounded in all of our positions,? said Bracciano. ‘We had about 35 girls come out for the varsity and junior varsity this year.?