ROCHELLE — The Lady Hubs tennis team held its first practice of the 2017-18 school year Wednesday morning, and head coach Lizzie Cartwright is looking forward to working with a new group of girls that includes returning varsity athletes and first-year players.

Rochelle will have roughly two weeks of practice before hitting the road for its opening tennis match against the Harlem Huskies on Monday, Aug. 21. For Cartwright, consistency in practice will be the key to Rochelle’s success this fall.

“It’s great to see the girls out here having fun and trying to improve their game,” Cartwright said. “I’d really like to see them get their first serves in and be consistent with all their strokes in match play. I want them to play with confidence and do their best every time they’re on the court.”

The Lady Hubs graduated six seniors this past year including Julia Frye and Anna Carpenter, who played No. 1 and No. 2 singles in 2016. Rochelle also lost its No. 1 doubles pair of Rachel Goffinet and Bhavini Persaud, but two players who could give the varsity team a boost this fall are seniors Jasmin Galvan and Alex Nava, who served as Rochelle’s No. 2 doubles team for most of last season.

“It’s feels good to be back again,” Galvan said. “It’s my last year so I’m just trying to give it my all… We want to help out the younger players and be an example for them.”

Seniors Lillian Fulgencio and Raquel Montelongo are expected to return as well, and the girls could anchor Rochelle’s doubles lineup after playing in the No. 3 doubles spot in 2016. Senior Marissa Belmonte could help the varsity team this fall after missing all of last season due to injury, and both senior Anahi Calderon and junior Lila Roush have a chance to make the jump from junior varsity this year.

Four new team members attended Wednesday’s practice including two freshmen and two juniors who are first-time tennis players. Rochelle ended 2016 with a 3-12 record including wins over Belvidere, Streator and Hononegah.