Sep. 26—DANVILLE — Experience is an amazing asset in athletics.
A year ago, the Danville girls tennis program had just two players with any varsity experience and it was a season of learning and growth.
With everyone returning, the Lady Vikings are enjoying the fruits of their labor as they improved to 8-4 with a sweep over Champaign Centennial 9-0 at the Danville Tennis Center.
“We are much better this year,” Danville coach Kathy Houpt said. “Because we were such a strong team two years ago, we had a number of girls that didn’t get their first opportunity at varsity tennis until last year. It was kind of a year of learning.”
Even senior Reese Rundle and junior Anna Houpt had plenty of learn a year ago about being leaders and playing together in doubles.
“I think we knew that we had to be the leaders but neither one of us had done it before, so we were kind of learning that while the other girls were learning to play at the varsity level,” Anna Houpt said. “In our first couple of matches last year, we really struggled because we were used to playing with older players that we’re the leaders.
“Now, we had to step up as the leaders and we had everyone looking at us.”
Rundle acknowledge the Vikings are playing better this year.
“Overall, we are doing really well. This is our second 9-0 sweep of the week,” she said, as Danville beat Normal West on Monday. “Everyone on this team is better this year and it shows.”
Kathy Houpt believes the biggest difference is just experience.
“Girls like Lexi Foley and Maya Towne have matured so much from last year,” Kathy said. “Having that year under their belts is a big difference. They are playing well and they are playing with confidence.”
While Houpt won at No. 1 singles and Rundle won at No. 2 singles, Danville also go wins from Aliya Morgan at No. 3, Samantha Brown at No. 4 while Towne won at No. 5 and Foley was the winner at No. 6.
In those six matches, the Vikings lost just 12 games to the Chargers.
“That’s a really good day for us,” said Rundle, who paired with Houpt to win No. 1 doubles, 8-0.
That duo has been nearly unbeatable this season and Kathy Houpt is considering playing them together for sectionals and state.
“This year, we have really put it together,” Anna Houpt said. “We worked together in the offseason and that has really helped.”
In what ways?
“We are more together and not just skill wise,” Anna said. “I think we know more how the other person is going to play. So, when she is serving, I know where I need to be at the net and vice versa.
“Having a year of experience helps and I definitely notice a difference in how we are playing.”
Rundle says their doubles matches have been the highlight of her season.
“Every time we play, it’s the best part of my day,” Rundle said. “We had good chemistry last year, but it’s so much better this year. Everything from our approaches to our technique to our skill has improved.
“We were good players separately, but together, we didn’t have much experience. This year is our time because we have become a solid team.”
In the other doubles matches, Danville got victories from Brown and Morgan at No.2, while Towne and Foley were victorious at No. 3.
At Danville Tennis Center Danville 9, Champaign Centennial 0
Singles — Anna Houpt (Danville) def. Taylor Diep, 6-1, 6-1. Reese Rundle (Danville) def. Rachel Hartmann, 6-0, 6-0. Aliya Morgan (Danville) def. Ria Modi, 6-0, 6-0. Samantha Brown (Danville) def Anna Williams, 6-3, 6-1. Maya Towne (Danville) def. Allison Hemming, 6-1, 6-0. Lexi Foley (Danville) def. Krisha Patel, 6-1, 6-4.
Doubles — Houpt and Rundle (Danville) def. Hemming and Hartmann, 8-0. Brown and Morgan (Danville) def. Dep and Williams, 8-0. Towne and Foley (Danville) def. Patel and Rylin Zumwalt 8-2.
