Warsaw girls tennis coach Rick Orban has some advice for his No. 2 doubles team of Camille Kerlin and Sydney Hartman Monday night at WCHS,

WARSAW – Warsaw girls tennis coach Rick Orban knows that his lineup is not set in stone early on this season.

A couple of positions though looked rock solid Tuesday night in the season opener for the young, deep and talented Tigers.

The pair of doubles teams were outstanding for Warsaw despite a 3-2 loss to No. 6 Fort Wayne Canterbury at WCHS.

The Tigers, who graduated five of the seven players from its lineup that won the program’s 14th straight sectional championship a year ago, counted on its veterans to shine in the opener.

The duo of Camille Kerlin and Sydney Hartman, two of the three seniors on this year’s roster, and the pair of sophomore Athena Schlitt and freshman Ella Knight each won impressively in straight sets in doubles action.

Kerlin and Hartman beat Abby Bergeron and Jiya Kashap 6-2, 6-3 at No. 2 doubles. Kerlin played No. 1 doubles last year for Warsaw, which went 7-9 overall and 2-5 in Northern Lakes Conference play.

Schlitt, who played No. 2 doubles a year ago, and Knight topped Meghana Pamidi and Jaidi Smith 6-1, 6-3 at No. 1 doubles.

“I was pleased with our doubles,” said Orban. “We’ve had some decent weather and time to practice. Our doubles trust each other. Both teams had good movement tonight and played smart tennis. I liked what I saw.”

Rosalia Fleming eyes a return at No. 3 singles.

The Tigers had two of the 10 freshmen on this year’s roster at the top two singles spots Tuesday evening. Warsaw graduated all three of its singles players from last year’s squad.

Freshmen Colette Smith and Liza Lewis both impressed their coach despite straight set losses.  Smith lost 6-0, 6-2 at No. 1 singles to Canterbury star Leah Barnes. Lewis dropped a 6-0, 6-4 to Samantha Becker at No. 2 singles.

“Barnes is an incredible player,” said Orban. “Colette never dropped her head and that’s impressive for a freshman. Liza was so nervous tonight. The way she changed and played her game and came back in that second set was impressive too.”

Canterbury completed the singles sweep as Ava Vanhelftrem defeated junior Rosalia Fleming 6-1, 6-3 at No. 3 singles. Fleming was in obvious pain following the match due to a back ailment.

“Rosie gave everything she had tonight,” noted Orban.

Orban expects his team to only get better with experience. The Tigers are expected to welcome freshman Hanna Rice into the varsity lineup soon. Rice is currently sidelined due to a leg injury.

Colette Smith reaches for a shot for Warsaw.

“I’m pleased across the board tonight,” Orban emphasized. “Overall, I’m very pleased with what we did. Canterbury is a great team. I’m very pleased with our attitudes, the way we played and our focus. We still have a lot of work to do, but now we really know what we need to focus in on.

“This first week of the season will tell me a lot. I just think that we’ll do nothing but get better as the season goes.”

Canterbury beat Warsaw 6-4 in junior varsity play. Winning for the Tigers  in JV singles action were senior Shelby Roberts and freshmen Grace Miller and Libby Jenkins at the top three singles spots. The doubles team of Julie Frazetta and Courtney Thompson also won for the Tigers.

Warsaw plays at Columbia City Thursday. They then host their own tournament Saturday before the NLC opener at Plymouth next Tuesday.