Experienced nucleus to help QND girls tennis team generate consistent success

QUINCY — Long before the sound of tennis balls bouncing off the hard courts or banging off the fences began echoing through South Park, Quincy Notre Dame girls tennis coach Theresa Quintero knew this would be a unique season.

That hasn’t changed now that matches are underway.

Raiders senior Lia Quintero, the No. 1 singles player since her freshman season and a two-time state qualifier, is sidelined as she recovers from a knee injury suffered in late May in the semifinals of the Class 1A state soccer tournament that required surgery.

“Yeah, it’s tough,” said Theresa Quintero, who is Lia’s mother. “It’s just an odd feeling. It’s disheartening to know that she isn’t going to play her senior year. She’s happy with how she’s performed the last three years. She actually fulfilled any goals that she had for herself. She feels like she fit four years into the three years.

“But yeah, it’s tough not seeing her on a daily basis.”

Still, the Raiders have an experienced nucleus to build around.

“We have our top eight that are very viable players that have shifted up the last couple of years in the lineup,” Quintero said. “They’re solid. And I think a couple of them have mentioned they really do want a shot at making it to state. We’re going to be working with them to try to make that happen.”

Leading that group will be senior Evie Schuetz.

“This sport comes naturally to her,” Quintero said. “She’s grown up with tennis.”

The Zanger sisters — Addi is a senior and Morgan is a sophomore — are expected to contribute this season.

“The Zanger sisters really have caught on to tennis in one season’s time,” Quintero said. “Natural athletes just transferring their athletic skills over to tennis. They picked it up quickly. I look for really good things with them.”

Junior Aly Young emerged from the opening two weeks of practice to grab the No. 1 singles spot in Thursday’s season-opening dual with Lincoln, beating the Railsplitters’ Marie Van 6-3, 6-2 as the Raiders opened their season with a 7-2 victory at the Greeman Tennis Center in Reservoir Park.

Senior Ava Jacobsen, sophomore Paige Bliven and sophomore Alyssa Ley are expected to contribute, too.

Despite entering the season without her daughter in the lineup, Quintero is excited to see the rest of the Raiders take center stage and excel.

“I’m just happy that some of the other girls are going to be getting some of the notoriety that they deserve,” she said.