Freshman Colette O’Regan won her first tennis tournament in Lake Bluff, Ill. when she was ten. She beat one of the top ranked players in the 12 and under Midwest region of the United States Tennis Association. These girls were two to three years older. Over the years, she has competed in 20 USTA tournaments. Now, O’Regan is playing with girls up to four years older on the varsity tennis team.

Peg Holecek, head varsity tennis coach, said that if freshmen are ready to play at the varsity level, she wants the girls to be at a spot where they will feel successful, and be competitive as they grow and develop as players.

At age 14, ten years after first learning to play tennis, O’Regan is playing on a team for the first time.

“For school, you’re trying to win for your team and not only for yourself,” O’Regan said.

During the school season, O’Regan has played at both the number one and two doubles slots with her partner, freshman Hailey Koretz.

“Colette is really steady,” said Holecek. “She’s consistent, an excellent volleyer and she is really strong under pressure. She’s a good athlete and a good tennis player.”

Hair in a ponytail, freshman Danielle Sokol grips her racquet, and with the snap of her wrist the ball lands in the service box, leading Sokol top win the point against her New Trier opponent.

Sokol has been playing tennis since she was 8 years old. She first played at the Northbrook Racquet Club and now plays at College Park Athletic Center.

She said she likes both high school and club programs equally, but thinks they are different. One difference is the team aspect. Sokol appreciates how the girls sit on the sidelines and cheer each other on during matches because she does not get this experience while playing at her club.

She considers herself more of a singles player than a doubles player.

Peg Holecek, head varsity tennis coach, has had Sokol play number two singles so far this season. She has won matches against schools such as Libertyville High School, Maine South High School, and Loyola Academy. She also took third place in the number two singles bracket at the Fremd Invite.

“Her ground strokes are really pretty,” said Holecek. “She’s not afraid to come in [to the net]. She knows how to construct a point, and I just see her getting more and more confident.

After the ball hit the court right next to the doubles sideline, freshmen Hailey Koretz and Colette O’Regan huddled together. There, the varsity coaches gave them advice and helped the girls strategize against their opponents.

This was the first time Koretz has competed in doubles, despite the fact that she has been playing tennis since age 5. Koretz said competing as a team in general is different than competing individually, which is what she is used to. Koretz likes having a partner in high school because they are competing together. She also likes having someone else for whom to root. For the school season, Koretz and O’Regan have been doubles partners.

“There has to be a certain chemistry there with your doubles partner,” said Peg Holecek, head varsity girls tennis coach, “There has to be a combination that clicks.”

“Hailey is very athletic,” said Holecek. “She’s quick, she moves well, she volleys well, she’s one of the more high energy girls at the net. And she’s not afraid to move around and distract her opponents. She is pretty even-keeled. She controls her emotions well, she’s coachable, and I think she’ll have a nice four-year career here if she sticks with tennis.”