Sept. 26 — DANVILLE — Experience is an incredible asset in athletics.
A year ago, the Danville women’s tennis program had just two players with varsity experience and it was a season of learning and growth.
With everyone back, the Lady Vikings are enjoying the fruits of their labor, improving to 8-4 with a sweep of Champaign Centennial 9-0 at the Danville Tennis Center.
“We’re a lot better this year,” Danville coach Kathy Houpt said. “Because we were a very strong team two years ago, we had a number of girls who didn’t get their first opportunity at college tennis until last year. It was kind of a learning year .”
Even seniors Reese Rundle and junior Anna Houpt learned a lot a year ago about being leaders and playing doubles together.
“I think we knew we had to be leaders, but none of us had done it before, so we were kind of learning that while the other girls were learning how to play at the varsity level,” Anna Houpt said. “In our first two matches last year we really struggled because we were used to playing with older players and we were the leaders.
“Now we had to become the leaders and everyone was looking at us.”
Rundle agrees the Vikings are playing better this year.
“Overall, we’re doing really well. This is our second 9-0 sweep of the week,” she said as Danville beat Normal West on Monday. “Everyone on this team is better this year and it shows.”
Kathy Houpt believes the biggest difference is simply the experience.
“Girls like Lexi Foley and Maya Towne have matured so much since last year,” Kathy said. “Having this year under their belt is a big difference. They’re playing well and they’re playing with confidence.”
While Houpt won at No. 1 singles and Rundle won at No. 2 singles, Danville also had victories from Aliya Morgan at No. 3, Samantha Brown at No. 4 while Towne won at No. #5 and Foley was the winner at #1. 6.
In those six games, the Vikings have only lost 12 games to the Chargers.
“It’s a really good day for us,” said Rundle, who teamed with Houpt to win the No. 1 doubles, 8-0.
This duo has been nearly unbeatable this season and Kathy Houpt plans to play them together for sectionals and state.
“This year we really succeeded,” said Anna Houpt. “We worked together in the offseason and that really helped.”
In what ways?
“We are more together and not just in terms of skills,” Anna said. “I think we know better how the other person is going to play, so when they serve, I know where I need to be at the net and vice versa.
“Having a year of experience helps and I definitely notice a difference in the way we play.”
Rundle says their doubles matches were the highlight of his season.
“Every time we play, it’s the best part of my day,” Rundle said. “We had good chemistry last year, but it’s so much better this year. Everything from our approaches to our technique to our skills has improved.
“We were good players separately, but together we didn’t have much experience. This year is our moment because we have become a strong team.”
In other doubles matches, Danville got wins from Brown and Morgan at No. 2, while Towne and Foley were victorious at No. 3.
At Danville Tennis Center Danville 9, Champaign Centennial 0
Singles – Anna Houpt (Danville) def. Taylor Diep, 6-1, 6-1. Reese Rundle (Danville) def. Rachel Hartmann, 6-0, 6-0. Aliya Morgan (Danville) def. Ria Modi, 6-0, 6-0. Samantha Brown (Danville) beats Anna Williams, 6-3, 6-1. Maya Towne (Danville) def. Allison Hemming, 6-1, 6-0. Lexi Foley (Danville) def. Krisha Patel, 6-1, 6-4.
Doubles — Houpt and Rundle (Danville) def. Hemming and Hartmann, 8-0. Brown and Morgan (Danville) def. Dep and Williams, 8-0. Towne and Foley (Danville) def. Patel and Rylin Zumwalt 8-2.
