Port Clinton doubles team relaxed, ready for state

Wide-eyed, anxious and overwhelmed.

That was how Port Clinton sophomores Aubrey Gillman, Chelsea Beck and Samantha Griffin described their first visit to the state tennis tournament a year ago as freshmen.

A year later, they know the trip is about business.

Gillman and Beck finished second Saturday at the Division II district tennis tournament to nab their second-straight trip to Columbus, while Griffin and junior Jordan VanWinkle were fourth.

"I think last year we were a little shell shocked," Gillman said. "We were just so happy to be there, we got sidetracked and it was 'Oh, yeah, we still have to play a match.' We got out there, and it was 'Oh, my God, this is state and there are so many people in the bleachers.'"

It's the first trip for Van Winkle, who transferred to Port Clinton after playing varsity as a freshman and sophomore at Floyd Central in Floyd Knobs, Ind. That team was so competitive in tennis, VanWinkle barely got a glimpse of the court, but on Friday, she and Griffin will compete on the biggest stage the sport has to offer in the state of Ohio.

"Sam's a really good player, and I'm really glad to be going with her," VanWinkle said. "I couldn't think of anyone better to go with."

The pair has a 24-7 record in the girls' first season as a doubles team on the year and captured the doubles title at the Sandusky Bay Conference tournament.

That success is a result of trusting each other, and knowing how the other plays, Griffin said.

"Her serves pretty much kick butt," VanWinkle said when asked to describe Griffin's style. "She's good at volleys, good at overheads."

Ditto for Griffin on VanWinkle's play. But the junior lends a little more than just solid tennis.

"Her personality helps me tremendously," Griffin said of the laid-back VanWinkle, who cuts through match tension by cracking jokes.

Gillman and Beck, who played Nos. 1 and 2 singles for a majority of the year, are 12-2 on the year as a doubles team. And while they play the regular season apart, the two don't have any trouble adjusting to doubles play when the tournament rolls around.

"We did the same thing last year," Beck said. "We work on singles and doubles in practice all year."

Their goal at state is to win as many matches as they can, whether it's one, two or all four.

When Friday morning rolls around, the four players are out to earn a win, which would earn them All-Ohio honors. And they'll add to the experience -- and lessons -- of last year's trip.

As their accomplishments pile up, so does the pressure of repeating their successes. But Gillman knows a state title berth doesn't just happen.

"In tennis, age is totally irrelevant," she said. "It's just the experience of the player and how hard you work."

Their work has earned Griffin, Beck, VanWinkle and Griffin at least one match Friday at the Stickney Center, where they get to showcase their skills.

"I'm excited to see how we compare to the rest of Ohio," Griffin said. "I think we'll do really good and work hard."

With the entire bracket geared toward winning their first match and pressing forward, keeping a level head will be key. Luckily, they can bank on their USTA competition, and they'll recall their wide-eyed stares from last October.

"This year were more focused," Gillman said.

Added Beck, "We know what to expect."