SPASH's Luetschwager defends state title
STEVENS POINT - Emily Luetschwager and Sabrina Tang have never played a competitive match against one another. Sure the Stevens Point Area Senior High singles duo has warmed up together in practice and exchanged ground strokes, but no one was keeping score.
That could all change for Luetschwager and Tang, the No. 1 and No. 2 singles for SPASH, respectively, on the biggest stage in the state of all places.
Luetschwager, the defending Division 1 state champion and top seed, and the sophomore Tang each bring an unblemished 30-0 record to the Nielsen Tennis Stadium in Madison for the WIAA individual state tournament that begins Thursday. Tang comes in as the No. 12 seed.
Should the seeds hold to form, and if Tang can pull off an upset in the quarterfinals, she could run into her teammate and the reigning state champion in the semifinals. She took a moment to ponder that potential scenario.
"(Emily) is a really good player," said Tang, whose expression suggested the prospect of meeting Luetschwager wasn't all that appealing.
For that possibility to even exist is unprecedented. Central Wisconsin has never been known as a hotbed of high school tennis. Having one player from the area seeded is fairly uncommon.
Having a pair of players from the area, let alone the same school, in that position just doesn't happen.
"It's mind-boggling," said SPASH coach Gary Baier of the duo. "They're both phenomenal players. For both of them to be 30-0 is ridiculous. Neither of them has lost a set. If you look at their stat sheet, probably 90 percent of their sets (this season) are 6-0."
While Luetschwager and Tang battle through the singles bracket, SPASH's senior duo of Emily Meier and Suzie DeBot will participate in the doubles competition.
However, all eyes will be on Luetschwager to see if she can cap off her brilliant career with back-to-back state championships. She received a first-round bye and will play the winner of Sun Prairie's Julia Hernesman (24-1) and Kimmy Steinert of Oshkosh West (28-5) on Thursday afternoon.
Baier stopped short of calling his ultra-talented standout a lock for another state title. He points to second-seeded Isabelle Lee (29-2) of Bay Port and Homestead's Katya Mikhailenko (28-1) as serious challengers to her throne. Luetschwager beat Mikhailenko 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinal last year.
Luetschwager is under no illusion about the challenge she faces this week. People have targeted her all season.
"It's definitely a much different mentality than last year because people play different against you now," Luetschwager said. "Everyone is just gunning for me trying to get as many games, points and sets off me as they can. They all want to beat the state champion from last year."
"I don't feel that much pressure. It's just another tournament, so just go out there and try to play your best. If you play well and you can win, that's awesome. If someone plays better than you, it can happen."
Tang runs into Waunakee's Mandy Schuster (19-13) in her opening match Thursday morning. The SPASH sophomore won her opening match at state a year ago before falling to the third seed in a match that included a first-set tiebreaker.
"It's like having a second chance because I don't think I did as well as I could have done last year," Tang said. "I saw the (state) competition and I knew I was up there with them. Even if I don't win, if I play well and don't let my emotions dictate a match for me, that would be a success. It's all about playing smart, keeping the ball in play, hitting my spots and being confident."
While Tang and Luetschwager are veterans of the state tournament scene, DeBot and Meier will be making their first appearance after winning their opening match at sectionals in three sets.
To reach state despite the partnership being formed about a month ago speaks to the connection the tandem has established in a short period of time. Baier felt Meier and DeBot were a perfect complement on the court. Meier uses her length to excel at the net, while DeBot possesses a strong baseline game.
Together they claimed a sectional title and bring a 10-4 record into their opening match against Stoughton's Kendra Halverson and Sydney Johnson (15-15), who DeBot beat earlier in the season with her previous partner and cousin Madison DeBot.
"After we finally won (our sectional match) there were a lot of emotions. I was pretty much overwhelmed and just really excited," Meier said.
Added DeBot: "We're hoping we'll have a successful first round. Of course nothing is promised, but it's about as good as it gets for the draw at state. It's nice to know what to expect from the other team."
Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, or by email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill
