Like all of the fall sports teams, the Ladue girls’ varsity tennis team started practice Aug. 12. And they, like all Ladue teams, are hoping to improve on their success from last year to do even better this year.

Last year, the team was 8-7 including the team’s postseason games. They did that with the help of three very skilled senior players: Chelsea Mohr, Julia Novack, and Lindsey Whitehead.

“Whitehead was our top player last year,” Coach Kevin Lackey said. “She was a state singles champion as a sophomore and placed third last year.”

While Whitehead is obviously a huge loss for the team, Lackey is excited for the return of an old star, senior Cam Newton.

“Two years ago, she placed third in the state singles and won the state doubles title during her freshman year,” Lackey said. “Sadly, she missed the entire season last year because of a back injury. When she is healthy, she is not only the best player on our team, but one of the top players in the region. We also are expecting key contributions from seniors Mollie Bieber, Karen Figenshau, and Josephine Roth, juniors Sarah Beckmann and Katherine Burkemper, and sophomore Kate Bisig.”

With practices every day at the West Campus that combine drills and match play as well as great chemistry between the players on the team, Lackey is confident in his team’s season.

“Our goal for the season is to play hard, get better, and win a lot of matches,” Lackey said.

Depending on the performance of the team’s key players, the girls’ tennis team should have a very dominating season.