If the first week of spring tennis was any indication, the Sherando High School girls’ tennis team is set up for another stout season.
Returning all of its top players from last year, Sherando began its season with a 9-0 win over Millbrook and an 8-1 win over Clarke County.
The Warriors, who went 17-3 last spring, will look to earn another state tournament berth. Junior Katie Freilich returns after being crowned The Winchester Star’s Tennis Player of the Year last spring. Freilich earned an 18-3 mark in singles and a 13-1 record in doubles as a sophomore last year, leading the Warriors to the state tournament, where they fell to eventual champion Broad Run in the quarterfinals. Sherando also returns junior Gabriella Koch, who finished 15-3 in singles last year.
Sherando will have to contend with Handley, which finished last year 10-7, falling to Charlottesville in the Region 4D quarterfinals. The Judges bring back seniors Ellie Bessette — an All-Area Team selection last year with 9-4 record at No. 2 singles — and Lexy Plotts and junior Liza Browning. The Judges have started the season 2-0, with a 9-0 win over Hedgesville (W.Va.) and an 8-1 win over Harrisonburg.
Millbrook was a region quarterfinalist last spring and will aim to have similar success this season. Although they lost No. 2 singles and No. 1 doubles player Peyton Cotterell to graduation, the Pioneers return sophomore Alex Townes, who was an All-Area selection last year after playing in the No. 1 singles and doubles spot.
Coming off a 5-10 season, James Wood brings back junior Violet Quodala and sophomore Emma Miller. The Colonels also welcome senior Sophia Creadick, a transfer student from Germany.
In the Bull Run District, Clarke County brings back senior Noelle Whalen and sophomore Grace Trent, who helped the Eagles make a Class 2 quarterfinalist appearance last spring. The other 11 members of this year’s Clarke team are new to tennis.
The following is a look at the teams as provided by the coaches:
Sherando
Coach: Jason Robertson, second season
Last year: 17-3 (7-1 Class 4 Northwestern District), Class 4 state quarterfinalist
Key losses: None listed.
Key returners: Leah Zaraszczak (Sr.); Addyson Kelly (Sr.); Jaquelin Portillo (Sr.); Katie Freilich (Jr.); Gabriella Koch (Jr.); Nya Patten (Jr.); Alivia Carper (Jr.); Kaia Aschtetter (Jr.); Sophia Kemp (So.); Jessica Osorio (So.).
Key newcomers: Madeline Koch (Fr.); Claire Hepner (Fr.); Sophia Hook (Fr.); Alyssa Eickmeyer (Fr.); Yu Shan Liu (Fr.); Evie Russell (Fr.).
Robertson’s expectations: “Our expectations are to be playing our best tennis at the end of the season, qualify for the postseason and compete. James Wood and Millbrook have good teams, plus we always enjoy our matches with Handley. Defending region champion E.C. Glass and Charlottesville will also be teams to beat in our region.
“Hopefully we can build on last season’s postseason. We gained valuable experience in matches against Charlottesville, E.C. Glass and 2024 state champion Broad Run. The returning girls worked hard to improve and add elements to their games in the offseason. I am impressed with our new players, as well.”
Next match: Tuesday at James Wood
Handley
Coach: Steffany Plotts, third season
Last year: 10-7 (7-1 Class 4 Northwestern District), Region 4D quarterfinalist
Key losses: None listed.
Key returners: Ellie Bessette (Sr.); Lexy Plotts (Sr.); Liza Browning (Jr.); Marta Meneau (Jr.); Leah Scully (Jr.); Eleanor Hessberg (So.); Elise Mueller (So.); Lulu Rhodes (So.).
Key newcomers: Teagan Braun-Duin (Fr.); Kiera Gramling (Fr.); Joy Walrath (Fr.).
Plotts’ expectations: “We are really excited about this upcoming season. The girls are all bringing great energy to practice every day and have all worked hard in the offseason.
“Last year, we only had one player with top 6 experience, so this year we are already ahead of last year. We are a very deep team which will be a strength as we move through the season. This is the most cohesive team we have ever had. The girls are already very bonded and are a true team in every sense of the word. As a coach, that is what it’s all about and we are thrilled with the potential.”
Next match: Monday at Liberty
Millbrook
Coach: Amanda Hileman, second season
Last year: 7-7 (4-4 Class 4 Northwestern District), Region 4D quarterfinalist
Key loss: Peyton Cotterell.
Key returners: Jennifer Collins (Sr.); Sydney Volkmann (So.); Zoey Creswell (So.); Lanie Yeggy (So.); Alex Townes (So.); Caroline Rackmales (So.)
Key newcomers: Brookelyn Snyder (Jr.); Josefine Schimming (Jr.); Maia Parks (So); Bria Yeggy (Fr.); Chloe Katz (Fr.)
Hileman’s expectations: “We have a lot of returning players and some promising newcomers. We plan to take it match by match and improve skills and game play each and every day. I expect my players to come out and play every match to the best of their ability.
“Since we have so many returning players, I think that will help us out this season. A lot of the players have been working in the off season, so hopefully skill levels have increased.”
Next match: Tuesday at Brentsville
James Wood
Coach: Alexa Venturato, second season
Last year: 5-10 (2-6 Class 4 Northwestern District)
Key losses: None listed.
Key returners: Violet Quodala (Jr.); Emma Miller (So.); Marley Baxter (So.); Caoilyn Baggarly (So.); Layla D’Elia (So.); Lily Wallace (Sr.); Lilly Black (Sr.); Sophie Viau (Sr.).
Key newcomers: Sophia Creadick (Sr.); Elena Tracy (Fr.).
Venturato’s expectations: “I expect us to be competitors in the district. We have a very strong group of girls who are experienced and can perform at a high level.
“Not graduating any girls last year was huge for us, because this will be our second year as a team, and we can build on that unity and camaraderie. My doubles teams have been playing together for two years now, and that cohesiveness is crucial on the court.”
First match: Tuesday vs. Sherando
Clarke County
Coach: Ted Schulhof, 17th season
Last year: 12-8 (6-2 Bull Run District), Class 2 quarterfinalist
Key losses: Lucia Martinez Barrio, Kaylynn Chapman-Browne, Mary V. Simmons, Delaney Collins, Lillian Hayton, Isabella Concha.
Key returners: Noelle Whalen (Sr.); Grace Trent (So.).
Key newcomers: Hannah McGeough (Jr.); Macie Wolf (Fr.); Roana Munoz (Fr.); Natalie Perry (Fr.).
Schulhof’s expectations: “Eleven of the 13 members of the team are new to tennis. Our veteran top two are crushers who love the game. Our student-athletes are absorbing a lot in a compressed chunk of time and developing nicely.
“Noelle and Grace have the potential to be a significant force at the top singles and doubles positions, no matter the opponents. While matching last year’s results may be a goal too far, we’ll win when we can as we learn the game and enjoy the unlimited challenges tennis provides.”
Next match: Monday at Park View
— Contact Justin Robertson at jrobertson@winchesterstar.com
— Follow Justin Robertson on X @j_probertson