If doubles tennis is the true test of effective communication and teamwork, Robyn Ziegler and Jennifer Nelson have passed that test with flying colors.
The Central Bucks East seniors have been first doubles partners for two years, and they have found a way to create magic on the court. They boast an 11-2 record this season for a Patriot squad that is in first place in the Continental Conference standings, and they recently captured the Frank Coyne Doubles Invitational Tournament which was held at East.
“They both have such a fighter instinct,” coach Mylene Greenwood said. “They really don’t give up until the last point is over.
“Their personalities and their tennis styles complement each other, and they bring out the best in their tennis game.”
Nelson, according to Greenwood, has had a calming effect on Ziegler, who is more emotional and is the more outwardly aggressive of the two.
“Jen is more quiet, more reserved, and she’s all business,” Greenwood said.
Nelson agreed.
“I’m pretty focused mentally,” she said. “I try not to let my mistakes get to me and take every point as it is and just go out there and do my best.”
While Ziegler likes to approach the net and has a nasty overhead that can send opponents running for cover, Nelson’s strengths are her backhand and strong crosscourt play as well as her consistent serves.
The two served notice that they were the real deal when – as sophomores – they captured the title at the Frank Coyne Doubles Tournament in their first venture as doubles partners.
“It’s a whole meshing thing,” Ziegler said. “Because we get along really well on and off the court, that adds into it. We work really well together and have great communication.
“We know what to expect from each other. If one of us is pulled off the court, we make sure we back each other up. We have our own way of doing it without even communicating. We know how each one of us plays and what our abilities are.”
Both Ziegler and Nelson participate in other sports.
Ziegler is a standout softball pitcher who plays on the elite travel circuit, which is a year-round commitment. She is a key member of East’s varsity in the spring.
She came by her interest in tennis honestly – her dad, Wayne Ziegler, played first singles in high school and college. Ziegler has been a member of the tennis team since seventh grade and has been playing since she was nine. She says she heads back to the tennis court the moment her travel softball season is over in summer.
“Tennis kind of like my pick-up sport, another sport to keep me involved and active during the off-season,” she said. “I’ve never taken lessons.
“I just picked it up because I liked it. It’s been great so far.”
Nelson, who took figure skating lessons as a youngster, joined the Lady Patriots ice hockey team last spring. A native of North Carolina, Nelson played in an all-boys roller hockey league for a year. She also plays soccer, basketball and likes to snowboard.
Tennis entered the scene when Nelson was eight years old. She took tennis lessons at a local tennis club and played for the community tennis league. When she moved to Pennsylvania, Nelson joined the varsity tennis team at Holicong Middle School and took lessons in seventh and eighth grades.
“I stopped tennis lessons because I was busy playing other sports, but I like to play over the spring and summer a lot on the weekends,” Nelson said.
Both admit they don’t get a lot of playing time together during the off-season.
“We got together a couple of times before the season started, but we really only play together during the season,” Ziegler said.
So what makes their doubles team work?
“We each have our little specialties, but I really feel like we’re at the same ability level,” Ziegler said. “We have great communication, and that’s a big key.
“We’re always cheering between points. Even if we lose a point, we’re always keeping ourselves pumped up. It’s kind of a tradition that we high five between points.”
“We know each other’s strengths and weaknesses,” Nelson added. “We work really well together.
“We communicate well. All of that really helps, and the fact that we know each other really well.”
Ziegler is a co-captain of the squad along with Stephanie Boccuzzi, who plays first singles.
“I think Robyn was quite surprised to be picked as captain, but I saw in her the potential of a good leader and wanted to bring that out this year,” Greenwood said. “I was hoping she would step up and show everyone, and in my opinion, she has.
“She’s a great team player.”
Nelson - who has gone to the U.S. Open with her mother every year since she was 12 years old - recently had the unique distinction of serving as a ball girl at the prestigious tournament. It was the second year she earned that honor through a series of tryouts that were held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y.
“The first tryout had over 300 people,” Nelson said. “I was very nervous but still managed to perform well.
“I tried out for the back position, which involved throwing the tennis balls the length of the court as well as crosscourt. This position also consisted of feeding the players the balls to serve.”
Nelson made the first cut of around 150 people. The second tryout consisted of a ‘mini’ interview to determine Nelson’s understanding of the game of tennis. She was one of 75 chosen from that group to serve as ball girls.
“It was a great experience,” she said. “On sunny days, my job also consisted of holding the player’s umbrella during changeovers.
“My first few days I was very nervous because they have supervisors watching the ‘new rookie’ ball people and grading our performance. After a few days, I was comfortable on the court with the players and was having fun.”
Nelson’s best memories from the experience were the opportunities to be up close to the players and to see the varying styles of professional tennis players.
“I was able to get lucky and was able to be a ball girl for Lindsay Davenport when she played doubles and also Andy Murray and his doubles partner,” she said. “I also was a ball girl for Fernando Gonzalez. Being a ball girl at the U.S. Open was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I’ll never forget.”
While Nelson was gone, Grace Phillips, an exhibition player, filled in for her in doubles competition.
“She stepped in and has done a great job,” Greenwood said of Phillips. “That’s what has ben neat about Robyn. She’s been willing to play with other people while Jen was gone being a ball girl.”
Both Ziegler and Nelson have high aspirations for the remainder of their final high school season.
“Last year, we were eliminated in the first round of districts,” Nelson said. “We’re coming out a lot stronger than last year.
“Hopefully, we’ll be able to win and get further than we did last year.”
Whatever the outcome, Ziegler and Nelson have had quite a run as doubles partners.
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