After coaching the Seneca Valley boys' tennis team for most of this decade, Eric Grove took on an additional duty this fall: Coaching the Raiders' girls.

That has him adjusting to a new team -- and that new team adjusting to its new coach.

"It's funny, we're learning to communicate together," Grove said. "They're used to having a lot more fun and not practice as much, and I'm used to having a more intense atmosphere and practicing longer. We're going to come together and work together to achieve that balancing act."

That's not to say that Grove isn't happy he took the job or pleased with his players.

"After coaching the boys for seven or eight years, it's a lot of fun working with the girls," he said. "They've got great attitudes. They're not so serious, which has been enjoyable. They laugh and have fun and that's a good thing. We just have got to learn to balance that with hard work and intensity."

Grove says he's trying to break the team of old habits and get the players to embrace new ones. He has a senior-laden team, with nine of the 11 varsity players in their final season.

The only spot in the starting lineup for the first match of the season that was not filled by a senior was at first singles. Sophomore Liza Gordan is playing at the top of the lineup after playing second doubles for the junior varsity team last season -- quite an ascension up the team's lineup ladder.

"I saw her the first day she came out this year, and I was like, 'Wow!' " Grove said. "She is a lot better than anybody else, tops by far, in my opinion.

"Her strikes are more mature [than last season]. She hits a Western forehand with lots of topspin. She can slice, she just has a great variety of shots that most of the girls don't have. I was surprised with where she was last year and happy where she is this year."

The remainder of the lineup for a 5-0 win Monday against Mars in the first match of the season was filled with seniors.

Chelsea Nelson also worked her way up the lineup from second doubles last season to second singles. Stephanie Ryan similarly moved from doubles to singles. She is playing third singles.

Seniors Alexia Fronzaglio and Caitlin Deleo are at first doubles, though senior Lauren Fetter is expected to push for playing time there as the season moves on. Jacque Maxson and Hannah Pecyna are playing second doubles.

Seniors Michelle Trantor and Shannon Krohe are the top reserves at doubles, while junior Lauren Hoyt made a strong play for the third singles position during preseason practice and might ultimately earn a spot in the lineup.

"She's real consistent," Grove said. "She gets the ball back a lot."

Grove said he has other players waiting in the wings.

"We have three girls that are right there battling to make the lineup if anyone doesn't keep up their standards," he said.

After the win against Mars, the Raiders were scheduled to play Section 2-AAA foes Pine-Richland yesterday and North Allegheny today.

Those two matches should provide a good indication of where Seneca Valley is this season after winning only two matches last season. The Rams and Tigers are perennial WPIAL powers. Each team advanced to the WPIAL semifinals last season (North Allegheny was the WPIAL runner-up and a PIAA quarterfinalist).

"It's our goal to be competitive against the top teams," Grove said. "Some coaches look at them and say they're unbeatable. They certainly work hard to be where they are. But as a team we have to be willing to work harder to some day beat them. They have a long tradition of winning. We'd just like to be seeing Seneca Valley's name up there in the near future."