Most coaches have weeks and even months to prepare their teams for their first contest of the season. New Liberty girls' tennis coach Diane Molsberry had just five days of practice with her new student-athletes before it was time to take the court in a competitive environment.

Hired just over three weeks ago, Molsberry already has a firm grasp on what the Lions need to do this season to be successful. "I'm very pleased with the amount of talent here," she said. "We just need some more discipline in our physical approach to the game."

Molsberry does have the benefit of inheriting a team with senior players in the first, second, and third singles positions. Eva Boden, Elaine Shin, and Sam Peterson all bring experience to the lineup, while freshman Mariah Paz fills in the No. 4 singles position.

Molsberry got to see all of them in action prior to league play at a season-opening tournament hosted by Freedom High School. "We got people into both the semifinals and finals of the consolation bracket at Freedom," said Molsberry. "So I was pleased with our showing there."

Shin had the best showing at Freedom, reaching the consolation finals in singles play. She also picked up victories at No. 2 singles against both Antioch and Freedom over the past two weeks. According to Molsberry, Shin has a naturally strong stroke that makes her dangerous from anywhere on the court.

Boden joins Shin at the top of the Lions' lineup, playing in the No. 1 spot. Her forte is consistency. She stays in each point and moves the ball around the court.

At the No. 3 spot is Peterson, a steady player who can consistently keep the ball in play - a necessity for success in the singles game. She picked up one of the two Lions' victories against Freedom last week.

With Paz in the fourth singles position, Molsberry believes the Lions have an up-and-comer who can grow into a tremendous player. According to Molsberry, Paz not only brings a great mental game to each match; she is raising the level of her physical game, witnessed by her improved footwork. In the deciding match against Antioch, Paz's three-set victory lifted the Lions to the 4-3 win.

Leading the doubles teams for the Lions is the No. 1 team of Alex Regalado and Shelly Sellers. Regalado brings consistency to the tandem, according to Molsberry, while Sellers is the more aggressive of the duo and plays forcefully at the net.

Despite a short tenure with her team, Molsberry, who coaches the Heritage boys team in the spring, feels the Lions can contend in the Bay Valley Athletic League. With the team's recent competitive showings, it appears she's right.