Wakefield girls tennis
Shani Ervin (left) and Alanna Albrecht will be key players on the Wakefield girls tennis team this fall. The Lady Wolverines are expected to push Broughton in the Cap-7 Conference.
'Make sure our will exceeds our skill'
While assessing the Wakefield girls tennis team's potential this fall, Wakefield junior Alanna Albrecht couldn't help but quote her coach, Ken Stewart.
"We need to make sure our will exceeds our skill," she chuckled, raising her voice enough to make sure her coach heard the response.
The Lady Wolverines and Stewart seemingly have a half-dozen mottos ready to use at anytime — some self-explanatory; others not so much — but the "will over skill" phrase is one of the most popular.
Essentially, Stewart wants his squad to embrace the mindset that they don't necessarily have to outplay an opponent to win, but rather outwork them.
And for the most part, the Lady Wolverines have embodied the phrase, with a roster full of not just tennis players but competitors.
This is not to say Wakefield doesn't return plenty of talent this fall — because they certainly do.
Led by last year's No. 1 Ally Prior — one of the best players in the conference — the Lady Wolverines appear set to make another state playoff appearance. (Unfortunately, Broughton is the odds-on favorite to capture the 4-A state championship, Stewart said, so a Cap-7 Conference title isn't likely.)
Behind Prior, the Lady Wolverines also return Shani Ervin, Albrecht, Taylor Orlando, Caroline Kohls and Jenna Martin — all solid contributors from last year's squad.
Stewart lauded Ervin, a senior, for her quiet leadership.
"She leads more with actions than words," the coach said. "But she will likely be the glue for this team."
Ervin will likely move up from her No. 4 spot, which she held last year, but the senior looks forward to the change.
"I have always kind of played patiently and, hopefully, this year I will be able to step up and take the shot," she said. "I want to be more aggressive."
Having only lost matches to Broughton last year, Ervin wants to continue her success, but knows playing "up" won't be as easy.
"I want to win as many as matches as I can and try to help the team as much as possible," she said. "Last year, I knew I could win [most matches]. This year, it's going to be a harder. But challenges are good, too."
Albrecht, Orlando and Kohls — all juniors — earned the nickname "Super Sophs" last year from Stewart, and they return with another year of experience. The trio played a huge role in Wakefield's stellar 2008 season, playing great tennis down the stretch.
"They were the heart of the team last year, giving us four out of five points," the coach said. "It's nice to have them back because I know they have a high competitive spirit.
"We have some people who don't like losing on this team."
Martin, a sophomore, is just scratching her potential, Stewart added. "She might have the best stroke on the team," he said. "She has a high skill set, we just gotta mold it."
Freshman McKenzie Miller should also see significant playing time this fall.
"I expect good things from this team," Stewart said. "I expect them to be even better than we were last year. Hopefully, we can put it together and make a good run."
The Lady Wolverines host Holly Springs Tuesday, Aug. 18, and Durham Riverside, Thursday, Aug. 20.
Notes:
Readers might be asking themselves, what are some of the other mottos the Lady Wolverines' tennis team uses?
We have you covered.
"Excuses are the nails that build the house of failure." That's a recent new addition, courtesy of Alanna Albrecht.
"Bend the knees and you can't miss." Head coach Ken Stewart discussing technique.
"Feel the rhythm, feel the rhyme, it's bobsled time." This one makes little to no sense, but it is very fun to say.
