Even before the first serve of the season, word spread the like wildfire among local girls tennis coaches.
“Munster has a stud freshman.”
When coaches were asked in preseason interviews about the Region’s top teams, nearly all pointed toward Munster. Most expressed interest in the Mustangs’ talented newcomer.
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Munster (16-3) has met those expectations as the last area team standing for Saturday’s Culver Semistate. And, indeed, freshman Karolina Sroka has been an important part of the Mustangs’ success.
“When you play for Munster, it’s good competition within the team,” Sroka said. “We’re a really good team. Everyone’s been really nice. They’ve been helpful in any advice I need. The coaches give great advice and really help me out during my matches.”
While most freshmen get their feet wet at No. 3 singles, No. 2 doubles or on the JV, Sroka (14-5) was thrown right into the fire at No. 2 singles.
She’s made a successful leap from middle school tennis.
“For a freshman stepping in at No. 2, she’s handled herself very well out there,” Munster coach Patrick Spohr said. “She’s handling herself against higher-aged girls and girls that play with more power. She was ready for that next level of competition.”
Doing it for a team like the Mustangs is even more noteworthy. Munster, the defending state runner-up, won its state-record 40th straight sectional title.
“It’s very nice to keep up the Munster tradition,” Sroka said. “I was really looking forward to coming here and challenging myself, and it’s been a great experience.”
Although Sroka’s youth would indicate a lack of seasoning, she’s out to prove that years of experience is the more significant number.
Sroka started playing at 4 years old and got a considerable head start on players who picked up a racket for the first time in high school.
“My dad played tennis at a young age and he wanted to continue with his kids,” she said.
Even so, Spohr knew there was a certain level of risk associated with penciling a freshman into his lineup.
“You’ve got some big shoes to step in, especially with our past history,” he said. “To do it as a freshman says even more about how much time she’s put into her game.”
The fact that Sroka still has three seasons of high school remaining is enough to make the Munster coaches smile.
“She’s only going to get better,” Spohr said. “We have good people coming in, and she’s going to be a part of a very good team for the next four years.”
This season hasn’t come without its challenges for Sroka. One of those occurred Thursday, when she was the Mustangs’ lone loss in a 4-1 regional championship win over rival Crown Point.
Sroka fell 6-0, 6-2 to Cece Maginot, an opponent that she beat earlier in the season. Sroka will use that as motivation at 11 a.m. Saturday against Carmel (12-1).
“She’s not the type of person who is going to stay stagnant. She’s going to work on it and perfect her craft,” Spohr said. “To have someone who’s going to do that makes my job a little bit easier.”
Brandon Vickrey is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.