Roncalli High School’s #1 Doubles team lost its first match of the season back in mid-August and that has served as motivation for the Lamers sisters as they prepare for the WIAA Individual State Tennis Tournament this week.
Jets junior Madison and her freshman sister Megan spoke with Seehafer News Monday evening during a practice session at the YMCA.
Madison Lamers admits she didn’t see this pairing) coming.
“I always thought that I would play singles my whole high school career,” she explained. “Then I was told we’re going to play doubles and I was like, okay let’s go to state, we have a really good shot. And it happened. I’m really excited for that.”
Megan added, “I thought I was going to play singles too, but then we were playing doubles all winter. And then we decided we were going to play doubles and I was excited because I got to play with Madison and thought we could make it.”
And “make it” to state they have with a 16-and-4 record heading into their first-round match at Nielsen Indoor Stadium Thursday night.
When asked about goals they have in mind this week, Megan said they just need to focus on “winning the first one and just giving it our all and not being, like, mad at each other and do what we can.”
Madison agreed, adding “Our original goal was just making it to state so we accomplished that goal. The next one is obviously continue winning round by round and whatever happens, happens.”
Their head coach is actually their mother, Kristin Lamers.
“I’m proud to be their coach and even more proud to be their mom,” she expressed to Seehafer News. “I wish them the best and win or lose I’m proud of ‘em. And they’ve worked hard to get there.”
The Jets assistant coach is Ryan Manis who explained that “Madison serves as one of our co-captains so right off the bat we already knew we had somebody who exemplified our team, our values and strong work ethic.”
As for Megan’s strengths, Manis says she “shadows her sister extremely well, not in her shadow but emulates what she does on and off the court as well. They’re both academically strong, work hard at practice and really do a good job for our squad.”
Their first taste of state competition happens at 7:15 p.m. Thursday against Catholic Memorial’s Jenna Ramthun and Maggie Schmitzer (14-and-9).
While this is the Lamers’ initial match at state for their high school team, they both have played at Nielsen before, says Kristin, “so hopefully that’ll wipe away the jitters.”
