Freshman lead tennis team
By Jared Bell
IV Leader Sports Editor
Last year as seniors in high school, Angela Richards and Maria Cardenas battled each other as opponents on the tennis courts. This year as IVCC freshman, they battled each other for No. 1 singles spot on this year’s IVCC women’s tennis team.
Richards, who graduated from Streator and Cardenas, who graduated from Mendota occupy the top two seeds for this year’s team, but IVCC coach Bonnie Peterson has not awarded the No. 1 seed to either player.
“They played each other last year in high school and one time one would win and the next time the other one would win,” Peterson said. “The later on in the season, probably after three meets, I will have to select seeds so they can have their seeding in NJCAA (tournament at the end of the year).
“They’re both strong players and they both have gone to state in the past,” Peterson continued. “So, they both have some experienced behind the, but college tennis is different from high school tennis. They’re both strong singles players. They’re good all-around players. With Angela, her serve is strong and Maria probably moves a bit better.”
The two are only five girls are out for tennis. Behind them is a trio of sophomores.
LaSalle-Peru graduate Gretchen Koehler will occupy the No. 3 singles spot. Last year as a freshman she played at No. XX singles.
Fellow L-P grad Cassie Reinhard is slatted in at No. 4 singles. She played at No. XX singles last year as a freshman.
Streator graduate Meaghan Iverson will play at No. 1 singles. Last year she played a No. XX singles.
On the doubles side, Richards and Cardenas will team up at No. 1 doubles.
“I haven’t see them play together, but they should work well together because one complements the other,” Peterson said. “I would think in regionals they should advance past the first or second round.”
Koehler and Reinhard will team up at No. 2 doubles. It will be the first time the tandem has played together.