RANCHO CORDOVA, CA (MPG) - After opening the regular season with an 8-1 victory at Rio Linda on August 29, the Cordova Lady Lancers’ varsity tennis team has dropped their past three contests, including their first two within Greater Sacramento League competition.

But in talking to head coach Jeff Pieczynski, you’d never know it.

For Pieczynski, seeing the growth of the team and program as a whole has been just as rewarding as any victory. From where his team was during the summer to now, he’s seen quite the increase of enthusiasm and passion for the game by his young group.

“I see the program growing,” he said. “I hear a lot of the girls when they’re in practice saying they’re getting better. You can see that excitement and spark from them because they can see the progress that they’re making.”

Thus far, Pieczynski has been very impressed with the likes of seniors Maria Orlovscaia and Nelly Vibe, who have been extremely competitive during singles matches early on this season. Additionally, freshman Elizabeth Abdulla has caught the eye of her coach.

“She’s literally only been playing a little over a month,” he said. “She’s just very athletic, and just starting out. I’ve been really impressed.”

In doubles play, junior Antoinette Aho and senior Kylee Frost have emerged as a formidable tandem for the Lancers this season.

“I partnered them together and it took them a little time to get used to each other, their styles and how they move and everything,” Pieczynski said. “But they’re really starting to gel nicely so I see them as a doubles pairing that can continue to improve throughout the season.”

This week, Cordova played two straight away matches at Valley and West Campus, respectively. They will return to Cordova for a tilt against Florin on Tuesday, October 8, scheduled for 3:30 p.m.