After a few years without a Wolverines Girls Varsity Tennis program during the pandemic, the program returned to West Geauga under the leadership of Coach Mary Kay Yuhas in the Fall of 2023.
After a few years without a Wolverines Girls Varsity Tennis program during the pandemic, the program returned to West Geauga under the leadership of Coach Mary Kay Yuhas in the Fall of 2023.
Beginning their second season under Coach Yuhas, the Wolverines took on Orange on Aug. 12 and Chagrin Falls on Aug. 14.
For the 2024 season, the Wolverines have 15 players returning from last year’s team.
In addition, they have added nine new players.
Although Coach Yuhas is still in the process of finalizing the lineup, she provided an overview of those expected to make significant contributions during the 2024 season.
At first singles, the Wolverines will have junior Lilly Isgro. Isgro’s season started well as she won her first varsity match against Orange, 6-1, 6-2.
Isgro said that she is happy with how the season has begun and that she is excited about the growth of the team as the Wolverines have added some very good new players.
In particular, Isgro emphasized that the Wolverines have been exerting great effort and that they have developed very good team chemistry.
“It’s actually (started) pretty good, pretty impressive with all the new freshmen,” said Isgro. We play with a lot of effort and I feel like we’re really good as a team and everyone just plays really well together.”
At second singles for the Wolverines will be sophomore Caroline Yeager.
Yeager’s season started well as she won her first varsity match against Orange.
“The season is going great,” said Yeager. “Our games are pretty solid even though we are playing some really good teams. Our team is coming together really well considering we only started up last year.”
Currently, at third singles is sophomore Elizabeth Grisez and at first doubles is senior Maddie Oster and junior Jadyn Brendy.
Last season, Grisez and Oster were named Chagrin Valley Conference (CVC) players of the week for their victory over Jefferson at the OHSAA sectional tournament.
In addition to winning the CVC player of the week award, Oster also received the Wolverines Most Improved Award for the 2023 season.
At second doubles, the Wolverines will have juniors Lilly Colecchia and Sofia Dipierro
Coach Yuhas also talked about what she considers to be the main strengths of the Wolverines team in 2024.
She emphasized that the Wolverine’s fitness will be a main strength of the team as they spent a lot of time focused on conditioning during the month of July.
In addition to the Wolverines high level of physical fitness, Coach Yuhas said that the Wolverines’ have a positive attitude and a strong mental game.
“They’re super enthusiastic,” said Yuhas. “They’re very kind to one another (and) they’re kind to their opponents. That’s the best thing about us, the personality and the attitude of the team.”
Coach Yuhas stressed that since the team is only in its second season after returning from the pandemic, many of the players are only beginning to gain competitive experience.
Thus, she has been focused on teaching the fundamentals of the game.
In particular, Coach Yuhas has been teaching the fundamentals of ground strokes which has become a strength for the Wolverines.
With a new team, Coach Yuhas said the main goals for the season are to improve at tennis, gain confidence and enjoy the game.
Added Isgro, “I think (the goal) is to get everyone in the flow of things. We’re all compatible with each other and everyone loves to play.”
ALAN KORNSPAN/KMG
West Geauga has a girls tennis program again under the leadership of Coach Mary Kay Yuhas.
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