Emily Goldberg ’12
Web Sports Editor

In her 14th season coaching at Staples, Coach Casey Devita is looking at a young team this year. Majority of the returning players will be underclassmen. The returning squad is made up of two sophomores, two juniors, and only one senior.

However, Devita does not view this as a set back at all, but an opportunity for the young team to make their mark.

“A young team will bring a lot of energy it gives the girls the opportunity to create the type of team they want to be on,” Devita said.

Yet unfortunately the team lost five of its top players this season. The team’s former number one singles spot belonged to Ella Gaskell ’11 who moved this year. Additionally the team had four seniors who graduated last year.

Devita predicts that Katie Reiner ’12 may be the one to take Gaskell’s spot. Last season Reiner partnered with Brette Warshaw ’09 to make up the number one doubles team.

“Katie will definitely switch to playing singles this season and is a likely candidate to secure top spot. But she will have to earn it,” said Devita.

With the four 2009 graduates gone, this leaves the number two singles spot open as well and, additionally breaks up the team’s top three doubles partners.

“Obviously there isn’t anything we can do about the breakup of all the doubles teams, but we hope to create equally as powerful teams this year,” said co-captain Farrel Levenson ‘11. The Wreckers are determined to not let their losses bring them down.

Levenson along with fellow co-captain Molly Laux ’10 will lead the team this season. Although both players agreed that they might have a challenging season ahead of them due to their many losses, they have faith in their team and are excited to start playing.

“Molly and Farrel will do a tremendously great job in setting the right tone. I have high expectations that they will do a great job leading by example,” Devita said.

Coach Devita, and the two captains are especially looking forward to playing Greenwich, New Canaan, and Fairfield Ludlowe. “We have always had challenging matches against these teams, and they are exciting to be a part of,” Laux said.

Along with many young, new players, the team is also going to be welcoming a new JV coach, Amanda Giudice. The former JV coach, Joyce Evans will be joining Devita as co-coach.

The team ended the 2009 season with a regular season record of 14-2, and also advanced to the semi-finals of both the State and FCIAC tournaments.

Another high achievement the girls’ tennis team reached last season, was that they were recognized by the FCIAC coaches as the winner of the FCIAC Girls’ Tennis Sportsmanship Award.

“This is really one of my very proudest accomplishments. Remaining very competitive and yet holding true to sportsmen like conduct, and command respect of opponents is something we work towards, and being recognized is rewarding,” said Devita.

The girls’ first match will be away on April 7 against Danbury High School.