ND's Hopkins, Walker head for state tennis tourney

It'll be familiar territory for Notre Dame's Carly Hopkins at this year's Class 1 state doubles tournament.

The junior standout will take the court for the third straight time today at the Cooper Tennis Complex in Springfield, Missouri, however, this time with a new partner in senior Maddie Walker.

Bulldogs coach Donna Ryan believes the duo of Hopkins and Walker is stronger than last year's doubles team.

"I don't know as the season went along if that was always true," Ryan said. "I think that they have gotten better toward the very end of the season. They peaked at the right moment."

Hopkins and former partner Reagan Kapp came up short the last two seasons, including last year's seventh-place finish that earned a pair of medals for the doubles team.

Notre Dame’s Maddie Walker will compete at the Class 1 doubles tennis tournament with partner Carly Hopkins this weekend in Springfield, Missouri. (Southeast Missourian file)

But for the most part, Ryan said Hopkins brings the same approach as always.

"Carly's very poised. Carly knows how to handle situations. Having been to state last year, I think we learned a few things about how they play tennis in the big city," Ryan said. "I think it'll be easier for her to manage and help Maddie through that because on the court, they're a team. We go along as coaches, but at this point in the season, they're pretty much on their own."

Experience and confidence go hand in hand for Hopkins, who feels more prepared than ever to make a run.

"Going in the first time, I thought everyone was going to be good, but the competition is extremely good," Hopkins said. "I respect everybody there, and I think knowing what I'm going into will give me more confidence."

Walker believes Hopkins' understanding of the situation adds a high level of comfort to her own game.

Notre Dame junior Carly Hopkins will be making her third appearance at the Class 1 state doubles tournament today when she competes with partner Maddie Walker. (Southeast Missourian file)

"Her having experience, that really eases everything," Walker said. "It makes me up my game. I don't want to disappoint her or anything. Knowing she's a state qualifier and all, that really pushes us to get farther than where she got last year."

Even Ryan has seen Walker's maturity grow throughout the season.

"She hits the ball much more confidently. When you play tennis, you always have a time of being nervous in a match. It's not a matter of if you're going to choke but when. It's natural," Ryan said. "She's learned how to manage that now and how to step up and hit the ball even when you're choking."

The Bulldogs' No. 1 doubles team was a driving force behind Notre Dame's 12-2 team record this season. Notre Dame lost to Kennett 5-2 in the championship of the Class 1 District 1 team tournament, but Hopkins and Walker showed no signs of struggle, winning the No. 1 doubles match 8-3.

"We are a lot better now because we know each other's game," Hopkins said about the team's growth over the season. "I know when she is going to hit a ball, now that we've played together enough, where it's going to go and where I need to go. It just needed time like anything, really."

The two have grown to become close friends off the court. Hopkins believes their chemistry is continuing to build on the court.

"I think we're stronger because individually, we've had time to progress our own tennis game. When you put that with a doubles team, I think that just makes you stronger," Hopkins said.

Hopkins is also Notre Dame's No. 1 singles player, but Ryan said the junior prefers to compete in doubles competition.

"It's her choice, and we think she would do better in doubles," Ryan said. "She likes a partner on the court with her, and I think she knows they would go farther as a doubles team."

Hopkins and Walker will begin the day against Warrensburg High School's Hally Piontek and Anna Mori.

Beyond that, seven of the 16 doubles teams are from the St. Louis and Kansas City metropolitan areas.

Ryan believes there's more of a congenial mentality among teams in the Southeast Missouri area compared to teams from the state's two biggest cities.

"They're much more competitive because they have more people to be competitive with," Ryan said. "Off the court, they're just girls. On the court, they have a very different attitude. It's a very pushy attitude, which is the kind of tennis I like to play."

Everything Hopkins and Walker have learned from each other will be put to its ultimate test today.

"I feel like Carly is more of the risk-taker," Walker said. "As soon as I hit a ball and she knows it's a good ball, she can sense where it's going. For me, I feel like I'm the consistent one."

They complement each other in necessary ways.

"She's the one that can serve a whole game without missing one," Hopkins said.

"And she's the one who can aim it at their feet and win a point," Walker added.