Ashland Girls Strive for Playoff Berth in Tennis

The Ashland High girls’ tennis team has become a viable playoff contender.
Last year, the Clockers snapped an 18-year tournament drought when they finished their season at 14-4 and qualified for the tournament. The girls defeated Dartmouth in the opening round, then were eliminated by Tri Valley League (TVL) rival Hopkinton.
This season, third-year coach Kellianne Erath has her squad in contention to be a playoff participant once again. The Clockers were 6-6 at Ashland Local Town Pages deadline. The 49-year-old Erath, who calls tennis “my passion,’’ competes in ladies doubles and mixed doubles on the United States Tennis Association circuit. A native of New York, Erath took the reins of Ashland’s net program in 2015 and missed tourney play by a game, posting a 7-9 record. Last year, her 14-4 team earned her the TVL Coach of the Year Award.
“I had no coaching experience when I took the Ashland job, but I did have the knowledge and the playing experience to teach the sport,’’ Erath said. “It’s all about providing guidance, showing kids their weaknesses and helping them to improve.’’
Improvement is the prime ingredient that may get the Clockers into the tourney again.
“The strengths of this year’s team are its work ethic, positive attitude and chemistry,’’ Erath noted. “Our singles players are very capable and give us an upper hand in those matches. Some of the girls have good technique and skills and our athleticism is a plus.’’
Graduating four key players from last year’s tourney team has forced Ashland to adjust and juggle some players into different roles. “The seniors’ departures have left us thin on experience and depth,’’ Erath said. “But, we had 24 girls try out and we kept 14 on the varsity. Ten are playing jayvee tennis, which will help us in developing future players.’’
One competitor who has developed into a dynamic player is senior Heidi Osterhout, a two-time TVL all-star and one of the Clockers’ captains. She’s got a 9-2 record so far in first singles.
“Heidi is a four-year veteran whose has a strong mental approach to the game,’’ Erath said. “She’s got good ground strokes, a strong serve, and she mixes power and finesse. She creates points and she finishes them. As a captain, she’s a gracious winner, a leader by example and a quality role model.’’
Sophomore Neha Chanda played third singles last year but has been promoted to the No. 2 slot, a move Erath made because “Neha earned it by winning many pivotal matches last year.’’ So far, she’s compiled a 7-5 record. “Neha is steady and patient,’’ Erath emphasized. “Her ground strokes are beautiful and she’s fundamentally solid. She has a good backhand and forehand, she outlasts opponents at the net and she’s worked hard at finishing off the last point.’’
Junior captain Sabrina Weiner played first doubles last year and showed lots of strength in that role. This year, however, she’s moved into the third singles slot and was 3-5 in her matches. “Sabrina is a fine net player,’’ Erath said. “She’s very scrappy and fearless, always willing to dive for the ball. A left-hander, she’s a volley player who’s aggressive at the net and hits for power.’’
Juniors Sanjana Mandala and Eva Bruklich form Ashland’s first doubles team. “Sanjana is smart, consistent and has a great selection of shots,’’ Erath said. “Eva has good volley skills and she’s aggressive going for the ball at the net. Because of effective decision-making, they complement one another very well.’’
Junior Madi Erwin and senior captain Kelsey Collins, who was 2-2 at third singles earlier in the season, are Ashland’s second doubles partners. Collins strictly played exhibition matches last year but now has experience at third singles and second doubles.
“Kelsey is a quiet leader who’s organized and very supportive,’’ Erath said. “She’s steady, scrappy and returns shots well. Madi is consistent, coachable and a very hard-worker in practice. She strives for improvement in keeping the ball in play.’’
Erath relies on a coaching philosophy that focuses on enjoying the game, improving and executing efficiently. “If our players do those things, then winning will follow,’’ she emphasized. “All matches are up for grabs and by being scrappy and aggressive, positive results can occur.’’
Ashland competes in a strong conference, acutely aware that Dover-Sherborn, Hopkinton, Westwood and Medfield are always formidable matches. Last year, the Clockers demonstrated the importance of commitment and desire and the result was a tourney berth for the first time in 18 years.
Kellianne Erath is a knowledgeable instructor who has a coachable cast. That combination has taken the girls’ tennis team at Ashland to a higher level.