The East Peoria girls tennis team is seeking a climb up the Mid-Illini Conference ladder this season.
After a sixth-place result in 2009, the Raiders will discover if they have the right combination for a higher finish this fall.
“It will be interesting to see what we do this year,” EPCHS head coach Shane Smith said. “Players will have to step up and fill the top spots.”
Three of the six players who participated in the league tournament a year ago are back.
Seniors Montana Melz, Caylee Nabors, Paige Ashley and Nicki Alwan all are expected to land top-six singles spots.
Ashley and Nabors’ fifth-place status in No. 2 doubles at conference was the team’s best.
After Friday’s practice was rained out, Smith said he hoped to have the opening-week line-ups finalized Saturday.
Nabors and Alwan were the likely No. 1 doubles pairing.
Melz and Ashley were a possible second duo and the third tandem was undetermined.
Seniors Emily Crim and Kari Hoffman were a couple of other starting contenders.
There also was a pair of sophomores, who played a lot over the summer, on the verge of getting added to the varsity group.
The girls were glad to get to Monday’s season opener at Illinois Central College vs. Washington.
“We’re definitely ready to play,” said Smith. “Some of them are exited about their senior year and we want them to be as successful as they can.”
The Lady Panthers prevailed, 9-0, as they won eight times in straight sets, including all three doubles outcomes.
With another match Thursday at Metamora, East Peoria will have two conference outcomes complete in the first week.
Metamora is the three-time defending M-I champion. Morton and Washington also are teams to keep an eye on, Smith said.
The Raiders added the Kewanee Invitational and a dual with Pontiac to their schedule. Woodruff was deleted after its closure.
East Peoria is eager to get moving in a positive direction. It was to receive quick feedback with three duals in a four-day span.
