Two area tennis teams are in different places this season as the Marlboro Dukes lost one of their top players while the Highland Huskies lost five of their seven starters after last season.

Marlboro’s ninth-year coach Scott Hisel expects his team to produce a record similar to last season’s 5-5 mark.

The Dukes have lost Sydney Sladicka from last year’s team, but return Chloe Gaer, Emma LaPolla, and Rebecca Panio. Gwen Benninger and Marlie Lanzoni will join the team.

“I expect to have a similar outcome as last year’s season due to a combination of returning club members, along with athletic newcomers,” Hisel said. “My goal is to get the newcomers excited about this great sport and, in turn, better themselves in the off season.”

Sladicka, last year, was Marlboro’s only entrant into the Section 9 tournament. LaPolla entered the Mid Hudson Athletic League tournament as part of a doubles team and was eliminated in the first round.

“As always, it’s a fast and intense season, so I hope my girls, above all else, have fun and support one another in this highly technical sport.”

Highland
The Huskies lost five top players after last season, and coach Michael Geller said he will need some players to step up into new roles.

However, two of their top singles players – senior Lena Tran and Ella Fuller – will return to the team and mix with five newcomers.

Tran made the Section 9 tournament and was eliminated in the first round, while Fuller reached the quarterfinals as part of a doubles team with Ari Wallen. They finished third in the MHAL tournament, as Highland placed three doubles teams in the semifinals of last year’s tournament.

The Huskies’ top goal will be to qualify for the MHAL tournament.

“We will be looking for Lena and Ella to take the next step at first and second singles,” Geller said. “Their success will dictate our team’s success.”