COLUMBUS, OH - A year ago, the Bishop Watterson Lady Chiefs tennis team was learning varsity life the hard way. Rookie mistakes. Rookie nerves. A brutal learning curve that defined the fall of 2025. Now, fast-forward to August 29, 2026, and the mood in the locker room? Night and day. Year two under head coach Allison Bigner is all business. This young but battle-tested squad is ready to prove that last season’s growing pains were simply the foundation for something bigger.
With zero seniors on the roster, the Lady Chiefs are flipping the "rebuilding year" script on its head. The sophomores and juniors who took their lumps in 2025 aren't waiting around for a savior - they are the saviors. Juniors Nivi Balaji and Ava Thompson have ditched the rookie hesitation for a sharp, "next-man-up" mentality that runs through the entire lineup. This is a team that knows exactly who it is: collective grit, relentless hustle, and a chip on the shoulder forged in last season’s fire. Early results already show a different animal. After a scorching 3-0 start, the Lady Chiefs now sit at 2-2, but the record barely tells the story. The goal in year two is loftier than just treading water. They want to erase the memory of that ugly 33% doubles win rate from 2025 and turn this program into a Division I nightmare.
The Biggest Fix: Owning the Doubles Point
Want to know why the Lady Chiefs have already flipped the script? Look no further than the doubles court. Last season, winning the doubles point was a coin flip that usually landed tails. In 2026, it’s become their superpower. The team has clinched the doubles point in 3 of 4 matches this season - a monumental leap that speaks volumes about the offseason work poured into the team aspect of the game.
This isn’t just about hitting harder; it’s about chemistry and communication. With no senior leader to lean on, the juniors have stepped up as the tacticians on the court, orchestrating points with a swagger that was simply missing in year one. Coach Bigner has clearly instilled a philosophy that every single point matters, and the doubles teams are responding with a confidence that lifts the whole lineup. That newfound edge faced a serious test in a hard-fought 3-2 loss to a quality DeSales squad on August 27. Sure, the loss stings. But the fight was there. They pushed a regionally tough opponent to the brink - exactly the kind of experience that forges a playoff contender.
📊 3 of 4 doubles points won in 2026 - After winning just 33% of doubles points in 2025, this dramatic swing has become the team's new competitive advantage.
The improvement is staggering, and the stats back it up. That 33% doubles win rate from 2025 has been flipped on its head. Now, this cadre of juniors and sophomores are turning doubles into their defining strength - a trend that will be crucial as the OHSAA tournament trail heats up. Individual rankings remain unpublished by the OHSAA until crunch time, so this team isn't waiting around for a superstar. They’re relying on a deep, collective core that makes them a nightmare to match up against, one through seven.
A Homecoming Statement: The Upper Arlington Challenge
Now, all eyes turn to the biggest match of the young season. The Lady Chiefs finally get to enjoy their home courts on Tuesday, September 1, when they host storied program Upper Arlington. This isn't just another non-conference tune-up; it’s a massive litmus test against one of the most consistent tennis programs in the state. Playing at home is a luxury the team hasn't had yet this fall, and you can expect a raucous, energetic environment from the home crowd.
