PENDLETON — A new beginning awaits Arabians girls tennis.
Coach Royce Hammel’s team sports just one senior in the mix, as younger players will strive to build a firm foundation for success.
Senior Lauren Marsh is the lone returning varsity player. She played singles last season.
One of the seven freshmen on the squad, Abby Cruzer, will play No. 1 singles. Cruzer and several others were part of the middle school tennis program, so swinging the racket is not new to them.
“We’ve also got some girls who were JV and will come up and do OK for us,” Hammel said.
He said Cruzer isn’t afraid to go after the ball. She has a knack for getting the ball in play and is working on top spins and serves.
“Playing at No. 1, she’ll see all different of styles of play and the power and placement. That will be good for her,” Hammel said.
“They just don’t have the experience. So it will be a learning and growing season,” Hammel said. He has already noticed growth among the players.
Several slots opened as both doubles pairs and a singles player graduated, and another singles player opted not to play.
Junior Madison Painter will play singles.Another junior, Mia Meiers, will play doubles.
Hammel mentioned sophomores Cassidy Brandom, Chloe Kean and Maylie Hunter to add to the Arabian journey, as well as freshmen Bekah Snyder and Cruzer.
Other freshmen without experience joined the team this season but will earn experience for the future.
The Arabians opened the season April 4 at home against Mt. Vernon and lost 5-0.
Pendleton Heights lost to Marion 5-0 on April 8.
The Arabians were set to begin Madison County play Wednesday (after press time). They faced Elwood; the winner plays the winner of Anderson/Anderson Prep.
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Senior
Lauren Marsh
Juniors
Emma Caldwell
Mia Meiers
Madison Painter
Sophomore
Cassidy Brandom
Sydney Case
Anna DeFouw
Marin Girt
Maylie Hunter
Chloe Kean
Mackenzie Kean
Micah Hardy
Freshmen
Chloe Bell
Faith Bluel
Abigail Cruser
Bekah Snyder
Camille Spencer
Zoie Weatherford
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Schedule
5 p.m. April 8 at Marion
5 p.m. April 10 at Elwood (Madison County)
April 11 Madison County
April 12 Madison County
4:30 p.m. April 16 vs. New Castle
4:30 p.m. April 17 vs. Shenandoah
5 p.m. April 19 at Shelbyville
11 a.m. April 20 at Hamilton Heights
4:30 p.m. April 22 at Lapel
5 p.m. April 25 at Rushville
5 p.m. April 26 vs. Delta
4:30 p.m. April 29 vs. Noblesville
5 p.m. April 30 at Frankton
5 p.m. May 3 at Yorktown
5:30 p.m. May 6 vs. Westfield-Washington
5 p.m. May 7 at Greenfield
4:30 p.m. May 9 vs. Elwood
4:30 p.m. May 10 vs. New Palestine
5 p.m. May 15 Sectional (Mt. Vernon)
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