By David Paulsen
SPORTS CORRESPONDENT
This year looks to be a rebuilding year for the Waterford High School girls tennis team.
The Wolverines have just five returning letterwinners from last year’s squad that entered the Southern Lakes Conference tournament in first place and finished in second place.
Those five are seniors Sydney Ciano, Alyssa Helwig and Emily Rogahn; and sophomores Bridget Brockmann and Alyssa Schimelfenyg.
A total of 49 girls are on three separate teams: varsity and two junior varsity squads.
“The Waterford High School girls tennis program is growing,” noted head coach Linda Jones.
New to the varsity squad are Emily Brekke, Hayley Ellie, Katie Queram, Lauren Sikora, Taylor Webb and Kate Weber. Most of those newcomers are sophomores.
With practice beginning Aug. 7, what is not set is the team’s lineup.
“Although it is too early to say what the lineup for singles and doubles will be, Alyssa Schimelfenyg will lead the singles lineup and Bridget Brockmann, along with Alyssa Helwig, will lead the doubles,” Jones said.
Jones added that the goal for this year’s squad is to be competitive.
“The girls are gifted athletes with great attitudes and the desire to succeed,” she noted.
Jones, in her sixth year as head coach, is assisted by John Kastengren, Sharon Webb and Jordan Spaciel. All three are in their second year.
The Waterford High School girls tennis team won several three-set matches in its opening action Tuesday at the Delavan-Darien Invitational.
That was especially true in doubles action where all three Wolverine doubles teams played three-set matches.
At No. 1 doubles, Bridget Brockmann and Alyssa Helwig opened with a straight set win over Whitnall. They then fell to Kenosha St. Joseph and to Muskego, with the Muskego match going three sets.
Emily Rogahn and Emily Brekke took fifth place, losing their first match to Muskego in three sets, but coming back to defeat West Allis Central in straight sets, and Elkhorn in a three set 6-3, 6-7, 10-3 victory.
The No. 3 doubles team of Katie Queram and Kate Webber also took fifth, with all three matches going to a third-set tiebreaker.
In singles action, Alyssa Schimelfenyg, at No. 1, took fourth, winning her first match but losing the next two.
At No. 2 singles, Sydney Ciano won her first two matches before falling in the championship match.
Taylor Webb, at No. 3 singles, split her two matches, losing in the opening round, but coming back in the consolation game for a victory.
Waterford’s Lauren Sikora made her varsity debut at No. 4 singles with a win over Elkhorn. She lost her second match, but came back to place third with a win over Milwaukee Pius.
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