Tennis can be a lonely game.
In singles, a player walks onto the court without a teammate beside her, without a huddle to retreat to and without someone else to take the next shot when things begin to unravel.
Yet spend an afternoon around the Mars girls tennis team and that isolation becomes difficult to find.
That may explain as much about this team’s culture as any forehand, serve or final score.
Head coach Mark Varlotta describes his players as relaxed and focused, capable of enjoying themselves while understanding when it is time to compete. He has also watched them become more comfortable when matches become uncomfortable.
Across the lineup, Mars players have found themselves trailing this season. Instead of allowing a slow start or lost set to dictate what happens next, they have learned to stay composed and find ways to win.
“Across the lineup, all the girls are playing better tennis at this stage of the season compared to early on,” Varlotta said. “They all have found different ways to win.”
A 3-2 victory over Butler illustrated that balance. Junior Gianna Kampian won at first singles, senior Grace Nam delivered at third singles, and sophomores Ella Ostapchenko and Nila Van Wyk captured second doubles in straight sets.
Kampian has held the top spot in the Mars lineup since her freshman year. Her development offers an example of the growth Varlotta has seen throughout the program.
“Gianna has been our #1 since she stepped onto the court her freshman year,” he said.
After reaching the Section 2-3A singles quarterfinals a year ago, Kampian advanced to the semifinals this September. She then defeated Pine-Richland’s Sonaya Arora, 7-6, 6-3, to finish third and qualify for the WPIAL Class 3A singles championships.
Seeded No. 11, she lost in the first round to No. 6 seed Carlin Bukovac of Greater Latrobe.
She has also become more patient through longer rallies, choosing her opportunities rather than trying to end every point immediately. She is learning how to construct points.
The team’s growth extends well beyond first singles.
Four starters returned this season: Kampian, seniors Elaina Riegler and Nam, and sophomore Madison Cawley. Around them, Varlotta needed younger players to assume larger responsibilities.
Sophomores Lydia Arnold, Van Wyk and Ostapchenko moved from junior varsity into the varsity starting lineup. Their contributions have been especially noticeable in doubles, where a team match can swing while much of the attention gravitates toward singles.
“Our doubles teams have been vital to our overall success,” Varlotta said. “Their wins have flipped some potential losses into team wins.”
Cawley and Arnold entered the season playing together for the first time at No. 1 doubles and quickly developed a complementary game.
At second doubles, Ostapchenko and Van Wyk have embraced an aggressive approach, attacking the net and experimenting with formations and strategy to keep opponents guessing.
“Ella and Nila have killed it playing second doubles,” Varlotta said. “They don’t shy away from being active and aggressive at the net.”
Then there are Riegler and Nam.
Their transition might be the best example of the willingness to adapt that makes a high school tennis lineup work.
Last season, the close friends played first doubles together, developing the chemistry that successful partnerships require. This season, Varlotta asked them to separate and move into singles.
“Elaina and Grace in doubles had an awesome connection and dynamic on the court,” he said. “They weren’t crazy about leaving their comfort zone of playing doubles to transitioning to singles, but both have accepted their new roles with open minds and have had successful seasons.”
Their willingness to leave something comfortable behind says plenty about the culture Varlotta is building.
“Our team is a nice combination of laid back and locked-in,” he said.
“I’m proud to see our girls support each other in a positive way. That support brings out their best.”
As the team moves forward, Varlotta wants his players to become less predictable, add different shots to their arsenals and become more aggressive, especially at the net.
It is a natural next step for a team learning that there is rarely only one way to win a tennis match.
He wants victories and meaningful postseason matches, of course. But his vision of a successful season stretches beyond the results.
He wants his players to remember the fun van rides, the laughs and the running jokes about their coaches’ musical tastes and driving skills.
“I love to hear the girls poking fun at mine and assistant coach DelDuca’s choice of practice music, lame jokes and driving skills,” Varlotta said.
Those memories matter because high school sports disappear faster than athletes realize.
This Mars team understands something that fits tennis particularly well: A girl can stand alone on one side of the court without feeling alone when she plays.
Mars girls tennis roster
Seniors: Grace Nam, Elaina Riegler, Sydney Allard, Alejandra Bardullas-Portilla, Jessica Fabian, Miranda Lindenberg, Madison Molishus, Addi Mominee and Ava Moravek.
Junior: Gianna Kampian.
Sophomores: Madison Cawley, Lydia Arnold, Ashlyn Coone, Ella Ostapchenko, Nila Van Wyk, Kate Chomicki and Chloe Killian.
Freshmen: Emma Johnston, Peyton Primrose and Serena Vowell.
