In past seasons, the results of some Foxes’ tennis matches depended upon the strength of the doubles duos. This year is no different. With less than three weeks remaining in the regular season, and the singles and doubles championships coming up in the next two weeks, the doubles duos could once again be a deciding factor in whether the varsity squad wins the section title.
Junior Eloise Johnson and freshman Clara Drahnak form the first doubles team, while senior Meg Delaney and sophomore Grace Patel are the second doubles pair. Eloise and Clara have only two losses so far this season, while Meg and Grace are undefeated. Their victories have boosted the overall varsity squad to an undefeated section record (6-0), and an overall record of 8-2, as of September 10.
While each doubles team has its own style of play, the players all share a common drive to succeed.
Head coach Alex Slezak praises his first doubles team, saying, “Clara and Eloise are both fierce competitors. They have formed a great bond, and as the season goes on, it improves their chemistry on the court. Clara is able to keep Eloise focused, and Eloise is able to keep Clara excited. They both have great serves and ground strokes.”
Clara, known for her intensity and athleticism, adds, “Eloise and I have a very strong connection when we are playing together. We are both positive people and encourage each other to play well. We play similarly and hit with a lot of power and spin. I like to play a deep wide cross court ball, giving Eloise opportunities to put away the volley/return.”
Clara’s hard work over the summer has paid off. She competed in the West Penn League and won 90% of her matches. She played singles and doubles in United States Tennis Association (USTA) tournaments and played on a USTA tennis league team that advanced to the middle states sectionals, where she won the singles event.
Eloise, meanwhile, spent some of the winter and her summer practicing at clinics, concentrating on her technique and serve. Being older, she has helped Clara adjust to the dynamics of playing on the high school tennis team. However, this is first year for both of them on the first doubles team.
“We both play very similarly. We hit with lots of power and spin deep in the court and set each other up for volleys well,” says Eloise. “We are both really competitive and definitely feed off each other. Clara is also super positive.”
On the second doubles team, Grace, a first-year varsity player, partners with Meg, a three-year varsity veteran. They have known each other since they were very young and their connection shows on the court. Grace’s primary goal coming into this season was simply to make the varsity team after playing on junior varsity. Transitioning to varsity has been rewarding.
“Grace and Meg’s combination works exceptionally well,” says coach Slezak. “Meg is a great leader and mentor and is excellent at the net, while Grace’s baseline skills are strong making them a great duo. Their skills complement each other.”
“In tennis, many opponents tend to hit to the backhand side, which happens to be Grace’s strong suit,” explains Meg, who also teams with Grace on the Foxes lacrosse team. “My height often gives me an advantage to get hard to reach balls at the net, making it difficult for our opponents to handle. With our playing styles combined, I believe we have a chance to continue to be undefeated, as well as make a playoff run.”
Grace credits Meg as a key factor in their success.
“Meg is an amazing player and is just a fun person to be around, which is why I’m so thankful for being her doubles partner,” Grace adds. “The first time we played together, we saw a lot of things that needed to be worked on. Overall communication was something big and noticeable.”
Even though they know each other well, Meg agrees their communication skills needed work.
“Although our first match against Mt. Lebanon ended in a win, Grace and I struggled with communicating where to stand, who was at the net, and which shot was mine or hers. After going into a third set, Grace and I realized what our game plan should look like from then on out,” Meg explains.
With only a few weeks left in the regular season, the doubles teams and the entire lineup will need to be in top form if they are to clinch the section title. The race is expected to be close.
“It will come down to the last match of the regular season when we play Shady Side Academy,” coach Slezak predicts. “I’d say it’s 50-50; Shady Side always has a very competitive team.”