By Megan Kelley

Review Writer

Lake Orion High School’s varsity girls tennis team kicked off their season last week with matches against Clarkston High School and Notre Dame Prep, falling to both the Wolves (6-2) and the Fighting Irish (5-2).

In their game against Clarkston, the Dragons one and two singles players, Sienna Osborne and Avi Shah had the two Lake Orion wins. The three and four Dragon doubles team were close to securing wins but lost in third set tie-breakers 11-9.

“Normally we don’t play an opponent that strong early on so I think it was good to see that so our girls can sort of get an idea of the level of competition out there,” said head coach Eric Bracciano. “Clarkston is one of the top teams in the area here in Oakland County. We’ll see them again at the regional in a month-and-a-half, so it will be kind of a good gage to see where we’re at in a month-and-a-half.”

In their match agaisnt Notre Dame Prep, the ladies fell 6-2 with Osborne and Shah snagging the team’s two wins.

Lake Orion lost to Norte Dame Prep last year as well, with Notre Dame bringing out their best team to date. Despite losing to the Irish again, the Dragons turn out a pretty strong team this year.

“The strength of our team is our one and two singles,” Bracciano said. “That’s Sienna Osborne and Avi Shah. Sienna is returning from last year at No. 1, so she’s an even better version of herself. And Avi, she transferred from Utica Ford so that was a nice surprise.”

Captains this season are No. 1 doubles duo Nicole Luna and Lizzie Donoghue, who are focusing on the team-building aspect this year.

“One thing that they’re trying to do is more team-building stuff,” Bracciano said. “I think doing more social things together, obviously the last two years we couldn’t do anything with COVID, so bringing more of that just to kind of gel the team comradery. The girls seem happier and enjoying things and wanting to train.”

Another change is the level of competition Lake Orion will face this season.

“This is the toughest schedule we’ve had just because we have three all-state players on the team (Osborne, Shah and Luna),” said Bracciano. “We’ve added Ann Arbor Pioneer to this schedule who is number one in the state. We’ve got Bloomfield who is number two in the state, and Troy. So, we’re not shying away from the competition, and they’re looking forward to playing us and we’re looking forward to just getting a chance to see the best.”

Last year, the Dragons placed second in their league and finished third in regionals. This year, the team looks to build on those successes.

“We’re hoping to finish toward the top of the league again and then, ideally, we would like to make the state tournament as a team,” said Bracciano.

The Dragons hit the road to take on the Rochester High School Falcons on Tuesday after Review press time.