'Good Group' of Sharon High Girls Tennis Players Ready for 2012

The Sharon High School girls tennis team is "a good group of kids. They work well together. They work hard," head coach Diane Micheroni says.

The Eagles open 2012 hosting Canton at 3:45 p.m. today with most of its 2011 roster returning. Sharon finished last season at 8-6 before losing to , 3-2, in a 2011 MIAA Girls Tennis South Division 2 first-round match.

"We're looking forward to a successful season," says Micheroni, leading Sharon for the fourth year. Carol Abram is the assistant coach.

Senior tri-captains Melissa Yuan, Emily Hu and Alannah Waisel will lead the Eagles.

"They have respect. They'll take charge of what has to be done, like the warm-up. They're good leaders to make sure the team operates as a team, very inclusive of everybody, really making this a team effort," Micheroni says.

Yuan remains Sharon's first singles.

"She's just a fabulous player," Micheroni says.

"Both on and off the court, she's just a pleasure to have."

In Yuan and Hu, Sharon's second singles, the Eagles have their top two singles players back from last season.

Hu is "very consistent. She has a great shot and a good forehand," Micheroni says.

"On most teams in this league, she'd be playing number one," the coach says.

Junior Faina Volf will open the season at third singles.

Waisel and senior Rachel Bashein return as the Eagles' first doubles team.

"I expect good things from them, and to grow as a team," Micheroni says.

"They both complement each other, and they both know each other's game very well."

At second doubles, sophomore Angela Zhang and junior Jessica Ferris will team up, as they did toward the end of 2011, Micheroni says.

The Eagles open the season with three straight home matches: today against Canton, Thursday against Fontbonne and next Tuesday against Oliver Ames.

Sharon's first road match is against Foxborough on April 12.

Last year's state tournament loss to Foxborough was "very close," Micheroni notes.

"But (the Eagles) played to the best of their ability. They gave it their all. And at the end of the day, Foxborough happened to come out on top," she says.