Girls find way to replace Toishi
LAKE PLACID — A year ago, Sonja Toishi stepped onto the competitive high school tennis scene as a seventh-grader. By the time the season had ended, the youngster not only helped lead Lake Placid’s girls to a team title, she also landed on top of the heap by claiming the Section VII girls individual championship.
This spring, the Blue Bombers girls will have to make a go of it without Toishi, who will still be playing tennis at Lake Placid, but as a member of the boys squad. Despite the loss of the young star, as well as their top singles player from a year ago, 2017 graduate Victoria O’Leary, the Blue Bombers are still looking to mount a possible run toward a second-straight girls team crown.
Under the leadership of Jon Fremante, who heads into his fifth year coaching the girls team, the Blue Bombers have seven returning veterans on a nine-player roster as they take on their Champlain Valley Athletic Conference schedule.
“We are looking forward to defending our CVAC Section VII championship,” Fremante said. “Seven of the nine girls are returning players for me this year and all bring experience, which will be helpful for this season.”
Six of Lake Placid’s seven varsity veterans are seniors who have all gained some experience in match competition.
Competing in her final season, Laurel Miller is expected to be a team leader for the Blue Bombers after playing in the third singles position in 2017. Also back for Lake Placid are seniors Ashley Strack, Karli Casler, Jennifer Godin, Chelby Lawrence and Morin Bissonette and junior Barrett Smith.
Sophomore Julian Robinson and freshman Karis Hudson are first-year members of the team.