“I think coming back with the girls made me realize I really liked it and I missed it. It wasn’t too hard of a decision (to do both),” she said.
High school tennis didn’t seem like it changed much in her time away. There may be fewer options for players in the offseason, but the sport still attracts high-caliber individuals.
“They’re all kids that are really focused on their academics,” Whitacre said. “Their GPAs are all really high. I don’t have to worry about checking grades — ever. I still don’t. That’s always a plus.
“I’ve always wondered what is it about tennis that the kids who play are also the ones who are taking advanced classes and always have 4.0 and maybe even higher.”
That discipline has carried over to the court for the Wildcats, who have had seven consecutive winning seasons. Extending that streak, though, may prove to be a challenge.
Whitacre didn’t know if she’d have a full team until a week before tryouts. Four athletes from other sports were coaxed by their friends into playing for the first time, and another is back after sitting out last season.
That boosted the roster to 10 but also means half the team is learning the finer points of tennis.
But Whitacre is optimistic.
“They’re all natural athletes,” she said. “My experience is if you have hand-eye coordination and you’re athletic and put forth the effort, tennis is not something that’s hard to pick up. And the thing I like is they don’t give up. If someone hits a short ball to them, it doesn’t matter how short it is, they’ll run to get it. They always try.”
Junior Aman Dhingra will play first singles, freshman Ethan Cundiff second and junior Paavan Patel third.
Cundiff attends Emmanuel Christian Academy, but high school rules allow him to play in his home district at Springfield since Emmanuel doesn’t have tennis.
Dhingra went 8-7 in second singles last year and has the mental makeup to compete at the top spot.
“He’s a leader,” Whitacre said. “He’s got solid strokes. You can tell he’s been playing for a while. He’s got powerful serves. He knows how to set up (his opponents) so he wins the point.”
Seniors Greg Howard-Smoot and Kyle Carey opened the season at first doubles, with sophomores Marshall Grooms and Casey Kampman at second doubles. Junior Shivam Patel also is in the mix.
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