Even had there been a spring sports season in 2020, there was no guarantee Sophia Davidson was in position to build on her head-turning freshman season.
The pandemic basically made all points — tennis and otherwise — moot. But Davidson, a Greenwood junior who burst onto the scene in 2019 with a 16-1 record at No. 1 singles, experienced a series of injuries that might well have sidelined her for much or all of her sophomore season with the Woodmen.
The ailments started in November 2019 with soreness to her right elbow, then eventually gave way to bicep tendinitis and discomfort in both feet. With rest the prescribed remedy in all cases, Davidson has taken a more cautious approach to the upcoming season, which begins next Monday when the Woodmen host Roncalli.
“Right before the quarantine started, I was coming off an elbow injury and had been cleared to start hitting again,” Davidson said. “I think the worst part about it is that even if we did play, it wouldn’t have been to my full potential.
“As soon as they canceled the season, I just broke down because I felt so bad for our seniors. I couldn’t imagine what they were going through.”
Davidson made it through the regular season undefeated as a freshman, including winning the No. 1 singles title at the Mid-State Conference tournament. Her lone setback was a 6-4, 6-4 decision to since-graduated Center Grove player and Daily Journal Player of the Year Ellie Strube in the sectional.
Greenwood coach Jeremy Runge believes Davidson will be a tougher out this season.
“Sophia definitely hits the ball harder, for sure,” he said. “The tennis IQ was always there, but she’s more patient. I’ve been impressed with her groundstrokes, too. This year, she’s just open to more things in terms of coaching.”
Davidson will be back in the first singles slot for most of the spring, but she is considering playing some matches as half of Greenwood’s top doubles tandem with Marisa Linville.
Whatever the case, she looks forward to contributing to whatever success the Woodmen enjoy this season.
“The big thing I’m looking for this season is just making sure I’m improving,” Davidson said. “Making sure that I’m hitting heavier, deeper balls. For doubles, I’ve been making sure to get up to the net more so I can reduce my time at the baseline.”
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Center Grove Trojans
Coach: Debby Burton
Top returning players: Ashlee Fisk and Sydney Plowman, seniors
Key newcomers: Sapna and Sonya Vyas, seniors; Rachel Ebaugh, Hudson Gilstorf and Madison Herron, juniors; Ava Beecher, Lauren Dick and Deepthi Shankar, freshmen
Outlook: State finalists every season from 2016-19, the Trojans appeared primed for another deep tournament run when spring sports were canceled last year. Fisk played No. 2 singles as a sophomore and will be at the top of Burton’s lineup this time around. Plowman was part of the second doubles pairing two years ago. No fewer than three ninth-graders figure into the coach’s plans as she welcomes many talented newcomers.
“I feel like we have a lot of potential. A pretty good group of freshmen. We have the talent, we’re pretty deep and their attitude is great,” Burton said. “Now it’s just a matter of getting that high school match experience. We’re super excited.”
Edinburgh Lancers
Coach: Rachel O’Brien
Top returning players: Annelise Lollar, senior; Peyton Bryant, Bethany Burton and Alyssa Funkhouser, juniors
Key newcomers: Gracie Myers and Jillian Turner, sophomores; Liza Henderson, Zoey Sida, Lily Turner, Izzy Richardson and Jessica Walsh, freshmen
Outlook: The four players back from the 2019 season mostly competed at doubles with Lollar playing a handful of singles matches. O’Brien, whose team opens April 2 at Madison, is encouraged despite not having a season last spring.
“Annalise has kind of taken on that leadership role for us this season,” O’Brien said. “We would like to have a winning season. We have to stay focused, work hard and cheer each other on.”
Franklin Grizzly Cubs
Coach: Rusty Hughes
Top returning player: Haylie Rayl, senior
Key newcomers: Haley Haldeman, junior; Ailyn Hendricks, Ava Pinnick, Sarah Smith and Emma Williams, sophomores; Chelsie Rayl, Emma Sappenfield, Kennedy Urban and Rylie Wilkison, freshmen
Outlook: Haylie Rayl played No. 2 singles for the Grizzly Cubs in 2019 and will likely move to the top spot this spring. Beyond that, everyone on the Franklin roster is new to varsity competition.
“Our way of looking at it is freshmen and sophomores are all freshmen because they have no varsity experience,” Hughes said. “I think we have a talented team. We just have to get out there and show it. “Our goal is to be playing our best at tournament time and possibly compete for a sectional championship.”
Greenwood Woodmen
Coach: Jeremy Runge
Top returning players: Sophia Davidson and Marisa Linville, juniors
Key newcomers: Ashlee Walton, senior; Meri Yusef, junior; Audrey Poynter and Ava Stein, sophomores; Maggie Boyce, Brooklyn Hanson and Savannah McCauley, freshmen
Outlook: Davidson posted a 16-1 record at No. 1 singles as a freshman, while classmate Linville was 10-7 as half of the top doubles team. Linville could again be playing doubles, though at this point Runge has more questions than answers.
“The two-year layoff has hurt us. You miss hours and hours of hitting, practice and match preparation,” said Runge, whose Woodmen play their first match April 5 against Roncalli. “This is literally the first year that I have no idea where anyone is playing. I would honestly expect the first two weeks we’re playing matches to be shaking the rust off.”
Indian Creek Braves
Coach: Mike Perry
Top returning players: Avery Burris, Zoe Rayback and Emilee Scott, juniors
Key newcomers: Erika Granado, junior; Kylie Lemmon, Lauren Lewis, Olivia Perry and Addy Tunell, sophomores; Lauren Foster, freshman
Outlook: There are no seniors on this season’s Braves roster, which means the team will likely use the weeks ahead to prepare for what could be an outstanding 2022 squad.
“We’re a very young team that kind of has to grow up quickly,” said Perry, whose 2019 team posted a 5-7 record and finished fourth in the Western Indiana Conference. “We have a pretty good idea of who is going to play where, but that could change.”
Whiteland Warriors
Coach: Mike Gillespie
Top returning players: Brooke Boehnlein, Molly Brosnan, Giselle Calderon, Natalie Cloer, Kaylee Hoagland, Sarah Scott, Lauren Trimble and Annruth Zodinsangi, seniors; Brenna Atchison, Paige Lester and Kailyn Sheridan, juniors
Key newcomers: Devon Long, Maddie Nieto, Ella Proctor and Sara Ullrich, sophomores; Karley Hoagland, Kinsey Shipp and Candace Stephenson, freshmen
Outlook: The Warriors were 16-5 two seasons ago, finishing third in the final Mid-State Conference standings. Three of the seven players return, led by Scott, a senior who is expected to ascend from No. 2 singles to the top spot this spring. Also back are seniors Boehnlein and Hoagland, who played Nos. 1 and 2 doubles, respectively. They could be one doubles tandem unless Boehnlein competes at singles. Brosnan and Cloer look to be another doubles combo.
“They’ve worked really hard and are fairly athletic. As a coach, it’s what you want,” said Gillespie, whose squad opens its season at New Palestine on April 7. “I think we can be pretty good, but it’s hard to tell until we start playing some people.”
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