Girls tennis: Trojans beat Red Raiders, finish week 3-0

The Wauwatosa West girls tennis team went 3-0 last week and also improved to 3-0 in the Woodland Conference - West.

The Trojans beat Pius XI, 4-3, on Sept. 4, as first singles Nicole Meylor (7-6 (2), 6-2), second singles Carly Grant (7-5, 6-0), third singles Laura Carlson (6-1, 6-2) and second doubles Alicia Picard/Erin Billstrom (6-7 (2), 6-3, 7-6 (0)) were the West winners.

"I'm always concerned when we have to play a match on the first day of school," West coach Kosta Zervas said. "There is a lot excitement and anxiety that comes with playing on the first day and many times the team lack focus and tends to play a bit flat.

"That was the case with this match. However, I was relieved that they were able to fight through all the first day distractions and pull out a victory."

The Trojans defeated New Berlin West, 4-3, on Sept. 6 on the road in the other conference match.

Meylor (6-1, 6-3), Grant (6-1, 6-2) and Carlson (6-0, 6-3) won at singles and Picard/Billstrom (2-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3)) were the only doubles winners at No. 2.

"Several of the matches were very close and could have turned in the opposite direction," Zervas said. "This could have easily been a 7-0 win or a 4-3 defeat. Nonetheless, we were able to grab a victory and move on."

Zervas has been impressed with the play of Grant at second singles.

"She continues to go out there and play steady and effective tennis," he said. "She's done a super job up to this point and is quietly putting together a great season. Carly has been a key component to our team success."

As important as the conference matches were, the Trojans won the intracity battle with Wauwatosa East, 6-1.

Meylor (6-0, 6-2), Grant (6-2, 6-2) and Carlson (6-4, 6-4) and the Trojans swept doubles.

Jenny Syburg/Julia Krummel (7-6 (1),7-6 (5)), Picard/Billstrom (6-1, 4-6, 6-1) and Lauren Rachow/Juliana Olukuton won (6-4, 7-5). Fourth doubles Mandy Holmer/Radha Kanchana-Karthik also played and won (6-4, 6-0).

"Everyone (players and coaches) are familiar with each other from playing over the summer in matches and camps," Zervas said. "I look forward to playing East and I know the girls enjoy it too. There is always that special motivation to play your best tennis and I think many of the girls did that afternoon.

"I thought we played a very clean match. The team definitely had extra incentive to play well and they came ready to play."