With only two players with varsity experience returning to this year’s Columbus East girls tennis team, coach Matt Malinsky is leaning on those two to lead the way on and off the court.
So far, that’s been the case for senior Ayano Nomura and junior Cathrine Millwood. With the pair at the top of the lineup, the Olympians are off to a 1-1 start going into today’s battle at third-ranked Columbus North.
“This year especially, when we have so many people that have less experience, it’s really good because the girls know who to talk to,” Malinsky said. “(Assistant coach) Steve (Fuller) and I only have two eyes each, so it’s almost like there’s two extra coaches there in a way. They can help girls with less experience.”
A lot of that inexperience comes from last season being canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. East has four sophomores among its top eight players who missed playing high school tennis last year.
Nomura and Millwood, the two most experienced players, missed the competition, as well.
“My tennis season was canceled last year because of COVID-19, so I was worried that it would be canceled this year,” Nomura said. “But I am very happy that I could be back playing tennis this year.”
“It was an odd experience for sure,” Millwood added. “We had done all of our preseason conditioning and were excited about starting the season, and then it got canceled. It’s odd coming back and having to restart the progress and try to relearn all the skills I’ve learned previously.”
Both Nomura and Millwood are playing singles this season after playing mostly doubles in 2019. Nomura played No. 3 singles as a freshman in 2018, then mostly No. 1 doubles as a sophomore. Now, she’s playing No. 1 singles.
“Her strength is probably her consistency,” Malinsky said. “She gets a lot of topspin, so her shots do a nice job of diving down to the court. She uses that spin to be pretty consistent.”
Millwood played mostly No. 2 doubles as a freshman in 2019. She now is at the No. 2 singles spot.
“I don’t think (singles is) necessarily her preference, but she’s taking the challenge to step out of her comfort level because it’s our best lineup,” Malinsky said. “In her heart, I think she would prefer to play doubles, but she’s taken on the challenge really well.”
Nomura and Millwood also have taken on the challenge of being leaders for this year’s team.
“To be honest, I was nervous when the coach asked me if I wanted to be a captain, but everyone on the team was great, so I want to support and cheer on my team,” Nomura said.
The Olympians’ results have been mixed so far this young season. They lost 5-0 in their season opener at New Albany, then beat Edinburgh 5-0 at home.
Friday’s home match against Brown County was rained out.
“I’m really proud of what we’ve done as a team so far this year,” Millwood said. “The majority of our team is new and have never played before, but they’ve been able to pull through and have fun.”
Like Nomura, Millwood is grateful to be back on the court this spring after missing last season.
“It’s great being back,” Millwood said. “I’ve missed being on a team. Tennis is one of my favorite sports, and I love being around the team. I love being able to form friendships with all the girls on the team, and I’m just really happy that I get to do that this year.”
