This isn’t last year’s Port tennis

Port Washington High School tennis coach Melonie Zielinski said this year’s team should make a little more noise in the brutal North Shore Conference.
Eight players return from last season. The Pirates only lost two to graduation.
“We’re actually pretty confident going into this year. I think we definitely have a high chance of finishing somewhere in the middle,” she said.
“We will be a lot more competitive than last year.”
In addition, the team has about 50% more players.
“It’s exciting to see that our program is starting to build more, and we have more girls coming up,” Zielinski said.
Sophomore Kaylee Doll is will play No. 1 singles since she has “shown a ton of improvement in power and placement” over the offseason, Zielinski said.
Senior Cassidy Yuhas is slotted at No. 2.
“She looks good, consistent,” Zielinski said.
No. 3 and 4 are yet to be determined. Senior Alli Hansen is gone on a trip this week, and on Monday junior Mooera Thompson played well with consistent forehands and backhands.
At No. 1 doubles, the two seniors who played together last year, Lauren Krist and Somers Welton, are back.
“They communicate well on the court. They need to work on a little more strategy,” Zielinski said.
At No. 2 is junior Chloe Schueller and her sophomore sister Tess.
“They’re able to communicate very well. In the offseason they’ve taken time to work with each other,” Zielinski said.
Junior Morgan Stone and sophomore Hope Christiansen will play No. 3 doubles. It’s Stone’s first year of tennis.
“Morgan we’re actually really excited about. She’s very competitive and has a very powerful stroke, same with Hope,” Zielinski said.
The Pirates competed at an eight-team tournament Monday at Kholer. While results weren’t available, everyone won at least one match, Zielinski said.
Port next plays at Slinger on Saturday.