Tennis: Gillispie lifting Pioneers to the top (04-20-07)
Millbrook ready for showdown with Handley -- By Tommy Keeler Jr. (Daily Staff Writer)
WINCHESTER — Millbrook coach Mandy Thompson isn't afraid to admit she wasn't sure what to expect from Sarah Gillispie this season.
The freshman, who moved into the area last summer, talked with Thompson after school started and told her she played tennis. Thomspon had no idea just how talented Gillispie was, but quickly found out when practice began.
"I guess I underestimated her because of her size and stature, and so when she came out I put with her the ninth-graders," Thompson said. "She just kept beating them soundly, and so then I put up her against a couple of the older girls and she beat them."
Finally Thompson put her at the No. 2 position, behind sophomore Erin Spinks, who played at No. 1 last year. The two played a challenge match and Gillispie again prevailed to start the season at No. 1, and she hasn't relinquished the position all year.
Gillispie said she felt confident going into the preseason that she would make the team and make a big impact.
"I'm not surprised at all that I'm playing at No. 1," Gilliispie said.
Spinks, who advanced to the Northwestern District individual singles semifinals last year, said she hadn't seen Gillispie play before the season started, but she had heard about her.
"She plays out at Stonebrook [Racquet and Fitness Club] but I had never played with her," Spinks said. "Other people had seen her and told me that she was good. [Handley's] Mykenzie [Garrett], Elizabeth [Gardiner] and Sarah [Moomau] had seen her play and told me that she was at our level."
Gillispie's move to the top spot has pushed Spinks to the No. 2 spot and senior Janet Reeve, who played at No. 2 last year, has dropped to No. 3.
Thompson said there has been no animosity between any of the players.
"Erin has handled it with a lot of maturity," Thompson said. "She's been helpful to Sarah, especially in doubles. When Sarah gets upset she's able to talk to her and keep her calm."
Gillispie is originally from Marietta, Ga., and lived there until two years ago, when her family moved to Pittsburgh. She started playing tennis when she was 8. Georgia is know as a hotbed for tennis, and Gillispie said the competition there was very tough.
She played in many junior tournaments and even attended the Jerry Baskin Tennis Academy in Marietta. Baskin is a popular tennis instructor who has worked with many juniors, including professional tennis players Brian Vahaly and Robby Genepri.
"I've played in a lot of tournaments," Gillispie said. "When I first started I was really bad, but I've worked really hard to improve and get better."
She is coached by Stonebrook club pro John Dokken. He said that when she came to the area she was already a solid striker of the ball and they've tried to add more variety to her game.
"We've tried to work with her on adding different types of shots to her game," he said. "We've tried to get her to add some slice to her game. We're working with her on using a slice serve and moving it around some, serving into the body.
"We talk to her about thinking before she serves a point, what type of point she wants to play. I think she does do that and I think that's really helped her."
Gillispie has lost only five games in nine matches this season, but today will face her toughest opponent yet. Millbrook will take on Handley in a Northwestern District showdown.
Handley is led by its No. 1 singles player, Kristin Gordon, who has won the individual district title the last two years. Like Millbrook, Handley is also undefeated. The Judges have not lost an individual match all season.
"I don't know much about her," Gordon said. "I know that she's undefeated and I know that she's somebody I have to watch out for. I'm looking forward to it."
The Judges advanced to the state semifinals last year and returned most of their players from that squad. Gillispie said she's heard a lot about the Judges from her teammates and she's looking forward to seeing how the two teams match up.
"I'm interested in seeing how they compare to the other teams we've played," Gillispie said. "We're undefeated right now and it's been really nice."
Handley beat Millbrook three times last year, but with both teams being undefeated, and the addition of Gillispie, the Pioneers have reason to feel good about their chances.
"I think it's better that we're playing them for the first time so late in the season," Thompson said. "I think the girls are playing with a lot of confidence right now. If we would've seen them right off the bat, in one of our first matches, you never know how things would have unfolded. You never know, this year might be our year."
