By Kyle LoJacono
The Land O’ Lakes girls tennis team entered last year’s district tournament with an 8-4 record and rode late-season momentum to a runner-up performance.
It was the only time in the last 10 years the Gators have made the postseason. The squad is currently 7-3 and appears ready for another surge as the crunch time nears.
“I feel like we have a better skill level this year,” said sophomore Cori Arndt. “We have some freshmen who are really good, and we work well together.”
One of those freshmen is Kavya Avancha, who has risen to the No. 2 position on the squad while showing an aggressive mentality not normally seen in high school tennis.
“Once you get a chance you should take it,” Avancha said. “You might hit a couple out, but you’ll beat better players by going for the shot.”
The squad is without last year’s No. 1 Wenyi “Wendy” Gu, who has graduated. Linzi Arndt, Cori’s sister, has taken over the top spot.
“Linzi has taken on that role as the leader,” said Land O’ Lakes third-year coach Samantha DelValle. “She just shows that leadership quality that Wendy had as a senior. I don’t think anyone can replace Wendy, but Linzi has done a wonderful job at No. 1.”
Linzi isn’t used to her spot on top of the Gators’ rankings.
“I have butterflies; I’m nervous,” Linzi said. “I’ve never been No. 1 before. We have a really talented group of girls, so if we stay strong and keep it together as a team we have a good shot.”
Linzi said the squad’s depth is what may allow them to make back-to-back postseasons.
“I think our lower number players are even stronger than before,” Linzi said. “Wendy was really good at No. 1 but this year we have a really good 2 through 5 and that might push us over the edge. … We had a lot of heart last year, and this year we still have that and the bonus of some very talented freshmen.”
Land O’ Lakes’ record is similar to a year ago, but all three losses have been 4-3. Those close decisions, added to the squad’s late-season run a year ago past higher seeded teams, give the Gators confidence as districts approach.
“We lost two district matches to Central and Zephyrhills, but it was really close,” DelValle said. “Then we beat River Ridge 5-2, and we hadn’t beaten them in forever, so we talk about how things change every day. … Last year taught us to not underestimate ourselves. We went in (to districts) thinking the powerhouses from the year before were still going to be in place, so it showed us we can beat anyone. Don’t think we’re going to lose going into any match.”
Linzi said the team’s closeness helps them pull out tough matches. That togetherness is something created by DelValle’s methods.
“She’s very encouraging and fosters a team spirit,” Linzi said. “A lot of other teams don’t have that because tennis is a sport that you can really easily start competing against each other. You’re fighting for rankings, but with coach it’s about the team and cheering the team on. If one of your teammates is down they need you to help them get through. It’s not about you — it’s about fighting together.”
DelValle said she works to bring the squad together to battle the sometimes individualistic nature of tennis. It also helps relieve pressure created by competing for team rankings.
“Challenge matches can be uncomfortable trying to beat your teammates to climb in rank, so I try to make sure we’re all having fun, we’re laughing and I’m laughing with them,” DelValle said. “We don’t have to be serious all the time. I can laugh at myself, so they need to be able to laugh at themselves too to make it a fun atmosphere.”
The Class 3A-District 6 tournament is at River Ridge High April 2-3 starting at 8:30 a.m. both days.
