Huskies tennis is on the ball

[attach]817[/attach]It’s do or die this season for Humberside’s girls tennis.

Part of the south region open division, the Huskies are looking at challenging Leaside’s powerhouse team to qualify for OFSAA under the league’s new format.

But first Humberside had to battle the Malvern Black Knights under grey skies at Rennie Park in doubles play.

The outcome was not what coach Joanne Loewen had hoped for.

Tying 4-4, courts 1 and 4 were victories, but 2 and 3 were not as strong, losing 8-6 and 8-1.

“I’m a little disappointed with court 2,” she said. “I thought they’d do better, but it’s the weather — it’s cold, rainy, yucky.”

Court 1, Masa Pilipovic and Katarina Neskovic, proved strong service and returns could overcome all odds.

“I’m happy with court 1,” Loewen said. “They were tied 5-5 and they won 8-5.”

Black Knights coach Jane Fontes said she was impressed by her team picking up the tie.

“I’m happy with the way they played,” she said. “It was a competitive team they played, which was nice, and hopefully we’ll meet them in the semi-finals.”

The tie aside, the biggest obstacle Humberside coming out of this season, said Loewen, is the large number of seniors leaving the team at year’s end.

“I’m trying to bring on some younger kids and give them some experience,” she said.

Her solution for keeping the team’s competitive edge: more court time.

“A lot of these kids play here at Swansea (Tennis Club) in their program,” she said. “That’s good for our school because they get expert coaching.”

As for the new tennis format — qualifying for OFSAA in the spring instead of during the regular season — Loewen is a fan.

“(It’s) school against school, which I think is better,” she said. “You can focus on one thing.”

The undefeated Humberside Huskies, who won 5-3 over Northern on Sept. 24, will look to come up aces against North Toronto CI Oct. 1 at Davisville Park. Results for were not known as of press time.