By Zack Peterson
Laker/Lutz News Correspondent
The Steinbrenner girls tennis team reached the Class 2A regional finals for the second straight year, but they again ran into Englewood Lemon Bay both seasons and were eliminated 4-3 on April 14.
The Warriors still managed to reach the doorstep of the state tournament in the school’s first two years and have laid the groundwork for continued tennis success.
“This is really big,” said No. 1 player and freshman Grace Korta after Steinbrenner defeated Osceola in the regional semifinals April 12. “We’re really a new school and we’re putting our name out there in a big way. We’re definitely a threat.”
The Warriors hosted the semifinals contest and defeated Osceola 5-2, losing only the No. 4 singles and No. 2 doubles point.
On the court, the No. 1 doubles team of Kaleigh Wagner and Korta breezed their way to a 6-1, 6-1 victory pushing the score to 5-1. On the other hand, the number two doubles team, comprised of Alley Berglund and Erika Smitten, struggled to hold an early lead and ultimately lost 4-6, 6-4, 6-4.
“There’s a lot of talent on the team,” said first-year Steinbrenner coach Domenic Colangelo. “But just because you have talent doesn’t mean everything. You have to also connect as a team as they have. They’ve earned it all and now they’re winning it all together.”
Wagner attributes the connection the team shares to Colangelo’s more interactive coaching style.
“With him, we practice more often, plus he’s very helpful,” Wagner said. “We’re a lot closer as a team and we help each other out more often.”
Colangelo appears to notice the difference amongst the girls too. According to him, the team dynamic seems to be the telling factor from last year’s squad.
The Warriors will have to regroup next year in a new district and with their Nos. 2, 4 and 5 players leaving due to graduation.
