MARBLEHEAD — Marblehead’s girls tennis team is back for another season and there’s plenty of promise for Coach Tracy Ackerman’s squad, which has a mix of youth and experience.
That youth may have shown in match No. 1 against an “incredibly strong” Winchester team, according to Ackerman.
“We’ve only had one match so far and that was an out-of-conference match against Division 1 powerhouse Winchester,” she said. “We lost, 5-0… but what I liked was the ability of my players to make adjustments and not give up. They all improved in their second sets and I felt good about that.”
A strength of this roster: depth. Marblehead returns three starters from last season’s team, which finished 13-7 and reached the Round of 16.
“Our No. 1 player is junior captain Samara Dosch, who was our third singles player last year,” Ackerman said. “She had a stellar season last year, only dropping two total matches. The jump to first singles is a big one, but I’m confident Sami can handle herself with her never-give-up attitude and style of play.”
In addition to Dosch, Marblehead returns its all-Northeastern Conference duo of Lani Gilmore and Reese Friedman.
“I’m expecting them to have a very successful season in first doubles,” Ackerman said. “They really know how the doubles game is played and have super advanced skills, making them a formidable opponent.”
Returning players who are new to the top seven are Nina Johnson and Abbie Goodwin.
“Both girls worked hard in the offseason and had an impressive tryout,” Ackerman said.
As for new players to keep an eye on, look no further than soccer standout Callie Gilmore, Caroline Bruett, and exchange student Josie Reers.
Lani Gilmore, Friedman, Johnson, and Dosch are this season’s captains. Ackerman had nothing but positive things to say about her leaders.
“They had some preseason practices and have an abundance of positive energy that trickles down to the whole team,” Ackerman said. “They are constantly planning team dinners, ice cream outings, fundraisers – you name it.”
Qualifying for the state tournament is priority No. 1 in Marblehead.
“Our team’s goal – first and foremost – is to qualify for the state tournament. The Marblehead girls tennis team has a long and successful history of playing in the postseason and we certainly want that to continue,” Ackerman said. “We also have our eye on beating Masco this year, as they have been the defending state champions for the past two years.”
In her nine years of coaching – and a former Magician herself – one of Ackerman’s favorite things about coaching is “seeing the girls develop, grow, and mature.
“I’ve had so many wonderful kids pass through the program and I love just seeing them around town and they still call me ‘Coach.’ A bunch of kids go to college and play or captain their club tennis teams and send me pictures – I love that,” Ackerman said. “Beyond the wins and losses, it’s the support and camaraderie that is built being part of our team. They still sing as loudly as ever on the bus rides home – win or lose – and that’s what it’s all about.”
