Classical girls’ tennis ready to make next step

The Lynn Classical girls? tennis team is looking to make a splash in the Northeastern Conference this year. Returning all four captains, three of whom make up the entire singles roster, the Rams feel like they can improve on their 10-7 record from 2014. While that record was good enough for second in the NEC, Classical has the potential to be much better this year.
?We really want to focus on being more consistent,” said fifth-year coach Cathy Blake Ellis. “I think we have a solid core of girls returning and their experience will help.”
The Rams will be returning all three singles players and one doubles player from last year?s team. They are the captains: senior Kayla O?Brien, the No. 3 singles player last season; juniors Anna Athanasopoulos and Meredith MacDonald, No. 1 and 2 singles, respectively; and junior Shea Dunnigan, who will be competing in doubles.
Ellis isn?t quite sure yet for the rest of her roster because the team hasn?t been able to do much.
?Working inside isn?t ideal, but right now it?s necessary,” Ellis said. “It?s so tough to tell who?s going to contribute when you?re playing inside.
?You really have to get outside on the court to get the spacing right and see what you have.”
Despite all that, Ellis has high hopes for her squad.
?Our goal is always to make the tournament,” she said. “We would love to better our record from last year, and always be consistent.”
The Rams will try to get as much practice time in as they can in the next two weeks. They are scheduled to start the season on April 6 at home against Peabody. However, Ellis says the courts are still covered in snow, and it could be a couple of weeks until it melts.
?I feel that we?re kind of in the same boat as everyone else,” Ellis said. “It?s not like all the other teams are getting outside and we aren?t.”Mike Alongi can be reached at [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @m_alongi.