It took a lot of work for Seymour sophomore Brooke Schafstall to earn the one singles position for the Owls.
Schafstall, who didn’t have a freshman season due to COVID-19, battled with senior Sandy Cerino in challenge matches to determine who would get the top singles spot.
Cerino is one of the more talented players in the area, but Schafstall was able to prevail in enough challenge matches to become the one singles player for the Owls.
“To be competitive with Sandy helped her a lot to prepare her for her games and for her season,” head coach Sharon Wood said.
Schafstall had an impressive first varsity season, finishing with a record of 15-5 and 4-2 in the Hoosier Hills Conference. As a result, Schafstall has been named The Tribune’s Girls Tennis Player of the Year.
“We play a competitive schedule, so every match, she had to go out there and be on her A game,” Wood said. “Based on who she was playing and what she needed to change, she was able to make those changes.”
Schafstall spent a lot of time in the offseason working on her serve, and over the course of the season, she realized what kind of shots to use in certain situations.
When Schafstall needed to hit deeper, she could do it. When she needed to hit more cross-court, she was able to execute it.
“She works so hard out there, and she’s very, very coachable,” Wood said. “She’ll fix anything you ask her to fix. She’s an easy player because she takes our advice and always tells us going what’s going on on the court.”
Schafstall’s season also earned her all-HHC for singles, all-district for singles and all-state honorable mention for singles.
Her 15-5 record is top three for most wins in a single season at one singles in Seymour history.
The soon-to-be junior will only grow in her final two years, and Wood is excited for her future with the Owls.
“They always use the phrase, ‘You have a lot of tools in your toolbox.’ Well, Brooke does have a lot of tools in her toolbox,” Wood said. “A few of those we’ve still got to refine and fine-tune for next year, but the fact that she’s always looking to do things differently, that has made her a lot of fun to coach. And the other players respect her a lot.”
2021 Girls Tennis All-County Team:
Brooke Schafstall, Seymour, So.: 15-5 record at one singles, 4-2 in the conference, HHC all-conference, all-district singles, all-state honorable mention.
Sandy Cerino, Seymour, Sr.: 15-4 at two singles, 5-1 in the conference, HHC all-conference, school record for wins at two singles.
Kirby Hill, Seymour, Sr.: 12-1 at three singles, 3-0 in conference, HHC honorable mention.
Valeria Ramirez, Seymour, Sr.: 10-1 in varsity matches, 3-0 in conference.
Avery Ragon, Seymour, Sr.: 14-5 at one doubles, 4-2 in conference, HHC honorable mention, all-state honorable mention.
Mallory Moore, Seymour, Sr.: 14-5 at one doubles, 4-2 in conference, HHC honorable mention, all-state honorable mention.
Madalyn Baurle, Seymour, Jr.: 19-1 at two doubles, school record for wins at two doubles, defeated No. 4-ranked Columbus North’s two doubles team.
Elise Hartung, Seymour, Fr.: 19-1 at two doubles, school record for wins at two doubles, defeated No. 4-ranked Columbus North’s two doubles team.
Sarah Lemming, Trinity Lutheran, Jr.: 11-6 at one singles, won her semifinal sectional match 6-1, 6-2.
Regan Cain, Trinity Lutheran, Sr.: 11-6 at two singles, received team MVP award.
Hannah Hackman, Brownstown Central, Jr.: Advanced to regional at one doubles, team MVP, made all-Mid-Southern Conference team.
Chelsea Luedeman, Brownstown Central, Jr.: Advanced to regional at one doubles, earned varsity letter jacket.