Senior Sarah Boyle returns as the No. 1 singles player for Warsaw this spring.

WARSAW – Rick Orban believes that none of his players want a repeat of last year.

The Warsaw girls tennis coach feels that his seniors especially want things to go differently this season.

Orban, whose team endured a rare down season in 2013, looks to bounce back this spring with a senior-laden squad.

“We’ve talked about last year and none of us want a repeat of that,” said Orban. “I know our kids don’t want last year to happen again. I’ve seen a lot of senior leadership so far and I like the determination of this team.

“I see a desire to win and really a different attitude this year. They are feistier and have more of an attitude about them.  I truly do expect us to have success this year. I’ll be shocked it we don’t.”

The Tigers went 1-10 during the regular season in 2013 as they claimed just a 5-0 Northern Lakes Conference win over county rival Wawasee. Warsaw did go on to win the program’s 13th straight sectional title before ending a 4-11 campaign with a 3-2 loss to NLC foe Plymouth in a regional semifinal match. The Tigers were 11-7 in 2012, despite a slew of injuries.

Orban said his team was outside just four times in the preseason before the arrival of Spring Break this week.

“There were no complaints from the girls about being out in the cold,” said Orban. “They were anxious to get outside. I gave lessons all winter and I like what I saw. These girls have  a lot of confidence in their abilities.”

The Tigers lost three players from its season-ending lineup in Lindsay Sciarra at No. 3 singles and the duo of Olivia Wallin and Marley Smith at No. 1 doubles.

Orban expects a strong singles lineup and a much-improved pair of doubles teams this spring.

Senior Sarah Boyle returns to lead the way at No. 1 singles. Senior Jacqueline Sasso is back at No. 2 with senior Rachel Alexander penciled in at No. 3.

“Any of the three could play No. 1,” Orban said. “The best thing about that is that we should be really strong at No. 2 and No. 3.”

The doubles lineup will be led at the start of the season by senior Abbi Baum and junior Camille Kerlin at No. 1. Kerlin played No. 2 doubles at the end of last season. The No. 2 doubles, is a little up in the air right now according to Orban. Competing for those two spots are seniors Anna Hall, Mattie Doran and Mallory Bartel, along with freshman Athena Schlitt.

“I expect our doubles to be much stronger this year,” remarked Orban.

Orban says he has been upfront with his team after a tough season a year ago.

“I’ve been brutally honest with them and they all know where I’m coming from,” said Orban. “The thing that I’ve talked to Sarah, Jacqueline. Rachel and Abbi about is that they have to embrace where they are playing and support each other.

“I think that if they do that, we will be a pretty good team. So far, I’m happy with what I’ve seen. I’m excited for the season.”

The Tigers are scheduled to open the season at Fort Wayne Canterbury April 15. Warsaw entertains Columbia City in the home opener April 17.

Senior Jacqueline Sasso is back at No. 2 singles for the Tigers.