In striving to become a more competitive program, the Douglas High girls' tennis team has revamped its training schedule over the past two years and reaped huge benefits, winning a league title last year and finding itself in the thick of the playoff race this year.
But, as coach Roger Rusmisel found out Tuesday afternoon, the team hasn't lost its most important quality along the way.
The Lady Tigers were well on their way to a sound 15-3 victory over Wooster in Reno Tuesday when the Colts coach approached Rusmisel.
"She told me she always looks forward to playing Douglas," Rusmisel said. "Even though our teams have been strong the last few years, she said our girls are always among the nicest in the league.
"That captures the spirit of who we want to be - Strong competitors but even better sportswomen."
Douglas got an outstanding day from its singles lineup, which went 9-0 in sets and 53-1 in games. All three starters, Amelia Ritger, Kari TenBroeck and Sarah Weaver picked up three wins.
"It was a dominating day for the singles against a Wooster team that was better than the score indicates," Rusmisel said. "Our doubles bounced back from a tough day at South Tahoe against good competition. We were able to play our entire lineup and give our newer players valuable match competition."
Amanda Caras and Chelsea Fent went 2-0 in the doubles bracket while the teams of Katie Sawicki-Rochelle Seymour and Zoe VanderByl-Kelly Sonnemann each went 1-1.
Morgan Richard and Emily Holt posted a doubles win as did Rose Lombino and Marissa Meniccucci.
Douglas improved to 5-2 overall and 4-1 in league play with the win.
BOYS
Douglas rolled to a 14-4 win over Wooster, sweeping the first round and winning 11 of the first 12 sets of the match.
Cody Tindel went 3-0, James TenBroeck went 2-0, Pat Johnson went 1-1 and Keaton Peters picked up a 6-3 win.
In the doubles' bracket, the three starting teams of Shane Patton-Grant Mason, Matt Thomas-Matt Williams and Garon Athanacio-Craig Stratton all went 2-0 while Joey Swisher-Kory Koskin picked up a 6-1 win.
