Trinity head coach Todd Cooper is trying to instill a certain type of attitude with this year's girls' tennis team.
It's about improvement and setting goals. Getting better each match with an emphasis on winning every match on every court.
And each girl in the lineup is buying in full tilt.
The Shamrocks didn't win every match Monday night against Bishop McDevitt. But they did enough, earning a 3-2 victory to remain unbeaten in Mid-Penn play and gain a leg up in the Colonial Division.
“We are a work in progress,” Cooper said. “We aren't there yet, but each match we are starting to jell.
“It's going to be a challenge, but they know their potential because of the way they practice. They want to get better, and we think we can repeat as champs.”
The Shamrocks (2-1, 2-0) are on the way, especially with their play on the singles courts.
PHOTO GALLERY: TRINITY VS. BISHOP McDEVITT
That was the difference against the Crusaders. The T-Rocks threesome of Katherine Long, Haley Matthes and Natalie Weaver put this one out of reach early with straight-set triumphs.
Long was the most impressive of the bunch at No. 1 singles. Not only because she erased a 4-1 deficit in the first set, but because she is a freshman and never lost her composure.
It took Long a while to shake the nerves on this stage. Once she did, her forehand came around, and she was able to dictate play for 7-6 (3), 6-2 decision that sealed the team victory.
“I got more into the match,” Long said. “I was lacking energy, and my focus wasn't there 100 percent.
“My teammates cheering really helped me a lot. When I got up 5-1 in the first-set tiebreaker, it really gave me momentum. Moving forward, I really needed to finish this off for my team.”
Long's teammates set the table.
Natalie Weaver gave the Shamrocks their first win with a 6-2, 6-2 decision over Crusaders No. 3 Alexis Welker.
Next, it was Matthes' turn. She used a blistering forehand to run Allie Tully around the court and secure a 6-3, 6-4 decision at No. 2 singles for a 2-0 Shamrocks lead.
Long took care of the rest.
“Our strength is our singles, and they really stepped up and played well today,” Cooper said. “Still, our goal is to go out and not just win the match, but for the girls' to have personal goals and win every match.
“They are focused on the goals, but I also want them to go out there and have fun. To let the game come to them.”
The Crusaders swept the doubles courts to make it close. Lianne Lapitan and Ashley Archer survived a three-setter to take a 6-4, 6-7 (6), 6-2 victory over Amanda Becker and Izzie Hachten at No. 1 doubles.
Lexi Foreman and Carly Elias defeated Hope Joyce and Amber Estok 7-5, 6-0 at No. 2 doubles, but it wasn't enough for the Crusaders, who fell to 1-1 on the season.
OTHERS
Camp Hill swept Middletown 5-0. The trio of Eleanor Gerhard, Rashi Anand and Allison Nudel gave up a total of four games in their three singles matches. … Nadia Mulder and Sarah Shahriar teamed up to score a 6-3, 6-4 victory over Abby Lundy and Tess Henderson in Hershey's 5-0 win over Red Land … Northern earned its second win of the season by beating Bermudian Springs 7-0. Kennedy Shank downed Bryn Yurick 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 at No. 1 singles. … Rachel Dombrowsky earned a win at No. 2 singles, but East Pennsboro dropped a 3-2 match to James Buchanan. … Susquenita defeated York Country Day 4-1. Carly Rudegeair, Brooke Hargenrader, Tylinn Bitner and Marie Szekeres landed singles wins.
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