By RICHIE HALL
Reporter Sports Editor
The Carmel girls tennis program has five players back from last year’s team, a team that won a state championship.
And yet, coach Spencer Fields says the Greyhounds “have a really different team this year in every capacity.”
The reason why is a freshman class that contains several players who are expected to join the varsity lineup right away. Fields already named four ninth-graders that could likely or possibly be part of Carmel’s varsity seven when it starts its season on April 12.
“We have players who are coming in as freshmen who are dynamic and talented,” said Fields. “We have returning juniors who are now seniors who just seem so happy and excited with season.”
Four of the juniors on last year’s state champion lineup are back for their senior year. That includes Lauren Lemonds, who sailed her way through an undefeated season and clinched the individual state singles title as well. Lemonds will likely be at No. 1 singles throughout the season.
The Greyhounds’ probable No. 2 singles player is freshman Soren Liechter. Fields calls Liechter “a blue-chip freshman” who has been giving a challenge to Lemonds.
“She is a freshman versus a senior, but she pushes Lauren,” said Fields. “It’s good.”
Senior Kiersten Carlson, who played No. 1 singles for the ‘Hounds as a freshman, is also back. Carlson is headed to the University of Toledo and is currently slated for a spot at No. 1 doubles.
“It’s her true passion, is playing doubles, and so I think this year we’ll probably try to play her at 1 doubles,” said Fields.
Freshman Sydney Morris is the likely No. 3 singles player, although Fields said that she could team up with Carlson to play doubles. Two more freshman are also in the mix for varsity spots, Emma Brune and Leila Antony.
“It’s different,” said Fields. “It’s seldom that you get this many freshmen coming in all at once, who all are really driven and love the sport and are just very pleasant people. It definitely has brought a hugely different vibe to the team. They are, it seems, like years beyond their freshman years. They seem really mature and just wise. They smile a lot and have fun and enjoy the game.”
Don’t forget about some of the returning players, too. Seniors Julia Miller and Grace Marchese played No. 1 doubles for Carmel during the state tournament last year. Junior Apurva Manas is also back; she played at No. 2 doubles last season. Juniors Selena Liu and Franny Werner also played some varsity matches last year; Werner filled in at No. 3 singles when the regular player was injured.
“We have a lot of experience and at the same point a lot of talent and people excited about the season,” said Fields.
With all of the experience and talent, the Greyhounds obviously have aspirations of another state championship.
“We don’t talk much about it, but obviously I think that’s the goal year in and year out at Carmel,” said Fields. The coach said right now the team is having fun, which he said is a “really healthy thing.”
The Greyhounds will open their season at the Todd Witsken Tennis Center with a huge dual meet. Carmel will welcome Sacred Heart from Louisville on April 11, the No. 1 team in Kentucky.
“We’re going to come fresh off of Spring Break and then we have the best team in Kentucky,” said Fields. “That’ll be a fun match.”
Carmel roster
Seniors: Sandyha Akella, Kiersten Carlson, Neeti Dave, Seema Dhungana, Lauren Lemonds, Grace Marchese, Julia Miller, Jacqueline Street.
Juniors: Lauren Black, Sara Cooler, Hannah Kosc, Selena Liu, Apurva Manas, Franny Werner.
Sophomores: Anna Berger, Shreya Bothra, Isabel Brandt, Varuna Dhanabal, Paige Fulkerson, Sophie Gates, Briana Hernandez, Leslie Huang, Ana Mercado, Kris Otten, Reagan Raymond, Jamine Rosewell, Julianne Sendon, Kelli Singell, Mary Stafford, Lara Staton, Emme Walschlager, Vivian Zhang.
Freshmen: Leila Antony, Ella Becker, Janvi Bhatia, Emma Brune, Katelyn Conely, Soren Liechter, Kayliegh Lloyd, Sydney Morris, Anjali Natarajan, Carol Syverson.
Carmel freshman Leila Antony chats with assistant coach Stacey Evans during the Greyhounds’ scrimmage with Brown County on Wednesday. Antony is one of several freshman on this year’s Carmel team. (Richie Hall)