Decade of success
Northwestern has had one of the elite girls tennis programs in the Central Buckeye Conference for the last decade, compiling a 112-16 record the past 10 seasons. The Warriors‘ league records during that span:
2016: 12-0
2015: 7-1
2014: 4-2
2013: 7-1
2012: 14-2
2011: 13-3
2010: 16-0
2009: 12-2
2008: 14-2
2007: 13-3
Source: cbcsportsonline.com
With a 112-16 record in Central Buckeye Conference matches over the last decade, there’s no doubt Northwestern’s girls tennis program has reached elite status.
The surprising thing is that the Warriors have reached it with less than the expected number of elite players. But there is strength in numbers.
This year’s league champion, 12-0 in duals and 14-4 overall, is 20 players strong, and has a full junior varsity team.
“A lot of our success comes from our depth,” said fifth-year coach Kevin Fraker. “We win matches with success deeper down the lineup more often than other teams. In each match, there was always a different girl coming through for us.”
The commitment from the district‘s leaders has also been important.
“They’ve invested in us,” said Fraker. “They built us six new courts and got us out of Snyder Park and onto campus. When our numbers grew, they allowed us to hire an assistant coach (Colin Imwalle) who works on developing the younger kids as well as the varsity players.”
Springfield and Kenton Ridge are the only two schools in the county who have a paid assistant coach, according to Fraker.
“We also have the benefit of having a middle school gym teacher (Geoff Springer) who has taught tennis in the past,” he said. “He takes them out and exposes them to tennis at an early age. And then when they see how fun it is, they’re hooked.”
Northwestern is the only school in Clark County that has a middle school club, with 30 kids participating.
“As you can see, there are a lot of parts moving in the direction of us being very successful,” Fraker said. “And that’s not just the girls, but the guys (program) benefit from this (feeder system) also.”
Senior Addie Smith, the Warriors’ No. 1 singles player for three years, leads the way with an 18-8 record. She is a two-time district qualifier in doubles. Destanee Wilson, also a senior returning district doubles qualifier, is 19-10 at second singles. They will team up as the second seed in doubles at Tuesday’s Division II sectional tournament in Troy.
Dana Coyle (21-6 at No. 3) filled out this year’s singles lineup, while doubles was handled by Erica Brandyberry and Alexxis Barrett (18-9 at No. 1) and Gianna Embry and Bree Latting (23-5 at No. 2). Brittanee Massie was their top sub.
“The girls that come out for tennis are just hard-working and disciplined,” said Fraker. “They work hard all summer, and do things the right way.”
Senior Arian McNeil of Greenon is the top seed in Tuesday’s D-II singles. Kenton Ridge’s Cassandra Freshour is seeded fourth. Kenton Ridge’s Macy Wallace and Olivia Sellars are the fourth seed in doubles.
In Wednesday’s D-I Troy sectional, Springfield senior Jenna Demeter (third in singles) is the only seeded area player.
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