Warren builds elite program

Jets coach leads girls team to 14-1 mark, a school record for wins.

Barbara Perenic Northeastern’s Jane Warren is the News-Sun All-Area and All-Clark County Girls Tennis Coach of the Year.

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By Kermit Rowe, Staff Writer 12:03 AM Saturday, November 12, 2011

SPRINGFIELD — If the blueprint works, build with it.

That’s the philosophy Northeastern veteran tennis coach Jane Warren used to first build her boys team to an elite program. It worked, and now the 18-year veteran coach has taken the girls tennis program to the same lofty heights.

Northeastern was 14-1 this year, breaking a school record for wins in a season set last when they were 12-4. For her efforts, Warren has been named the 2011 News-Sun All-Area and All-Clark County Girls Tennis Coach of the Year.

It was also the best record percentage-wise. Northeastern had a memorable season, for sure.

However, it was a slow, but steady climb for the Jets. They were 10-7 in 2008, then 10-5 in 2009. Last year’s 12-4 mark gave way to this year’s 14-1 record.

“We’ve kind of been able to build upon the success of the previous year,” said Warren. “The main difference has been that we had a varsity lineup of five seniors and two juniors. The leadership we’ve had at all the positions in the lineup has given us a good advantage over some of the younger teams.”

The Jets are led by four-year letterwinner Lauren Davy, who finished with a 18-3 record.

“She’s been playing first singles all four years,” Warren said. “To have somebody of her ability has been a major part of the success we’ve had over the past four years. I’ve seen a definite improvement in our team. Our ability to be problem-solvers on the court and be able to discern our opponent’s weakness and exploit it has improved.

“As a coach, it is always a goal to develop independent thinkers on the court. That comes with a lot of juniors and seniors on the team. There’s no substitute for that.”

Molly Parker, Amber Blanton and Sarah Flach all played four years for the Jets. Senior Shelby Miller and juniors Justine Whitley and Karley Stites have each played three years.

“Tennis is one of those sports where you’ve got to put the time in and pay your dues. If you do, you can be successful,” said Warren. “The majority of the varsity girls do (play in the offseason). The entire team put some time in during the summer months. And several played in the winter.”

ALL-AREA & ALL-CLARK COUNTY

FIRST TEAM

Singles

Doubles

Special Mention: Hannah Bentson, Kenton Ridge, jr.; Helen Hua, Northwestern, sr.

Honorable Mention: Nicole Pavlatos, Springfield, fr.; Haley Fannin, Urbana, jr.; Julia Benson, Greenview, jr.

Player of the Year: Taylor Culbertson, Tecumseh

Coach of the Year: Jane Warren, Northeastern

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