Printer Friendly Version - Gill Makes Smooth Transition from Singles to Doubles

Senior captain Julia Gill loves the fact that she’s widening her horizon on the tennis court. Having previously been a singles player, Julia is excelling with Sejal Atluru as North Haven’s top doubles team this spring. Photo courtesy of Julia Gill

Julia Gill had always been a singles player. Throughout her years of training at North Haven Health & Racquet Club, plus her first three seasons with the Indians’ girls’ tennis team, Julia’s home was on the singles side of the court. However, after playing No. 4 singles as a sophomore and No. 2 singles last year, Julia transitioned to the top doubles spot this season and is competing alongside junior Sejal Atluru. Thus far, the duo owns a record of 9-2.

“Of course, I was a little nervous, but generally, I was excited to move onto a more team-oriented part of the sport. I love playing singles, but doubles has allowed me to be more competitive as a player,” says Julia. “I was nervous if I’d be able to cooperate with a teammate since I was so used to being independent. It’s a whole new set of skills to learn. Now, I’m definitely interested in pursuing doubles in college and in my summer tournaments. I never was before, but now I am very interested.”

Julia says the move from singles to doubles has come with some challenges, although she feels grateful for how the opportunity has improved more areas of her overall game.

“I think aggression is a huge key in doubles that I didn’t have in singles. In singles, you’re on the baseline, keeping the ball long, while in doubles, the ideal rally is cut off by an aggressive volley at net. At the beginning of the season, I was more comfortable at the baseline, but as the season has progressed, I’m loving being at the net,” she says. “I love the aggressive aspect and being able to put a point to its end. Hitting a winning shot is satisfying.”

Indians’ Head Coach Bob Migliorini felt that Julia’s consistency on the court would lend itself well to her becoming a valued member of his No. 1 doubles team.

“She just works really hard in practice. She’s a fighter, is always looking to improve herself, and she has good athletic ability. She keeps the ball in play and doesn’t make a lot of unforced errors. She moves really well and, this year, she’s moved into the first doubles role, which is a key position on the team,” says Migliorini. “She’s been able to take her singles and doubles experience and combine it all together to become a strong doubles player from baseline and net.”

Julia was also named one of North Haven’s captains for her current senior season. Julia wanted to be in that position and feels excited to hold the leadership role.

“It was a long-term goal of mine. I knew I wanted to be captain. I worked really hard to get to where I am, so I was really thrilled,” she says. “I love being captain. It’s important to integrate freshman into the team aspect of the game and I’m trying to take on that responsibility because the tennis program in North Haven needs the help of underclassmen.”

Looking back at her singles career, Julia showed plenty of promise when she notched nine victories at the No. 4 spot her sophomore year, after which she won nine more matches as the No. 2 player en route to claiming North Haven’s Most Improved Player Award last year. Julia constantly battled and displayed tons of grit on the court to record her wins.

“As a singles player, it was resilience,” says Julia on the strongest aspect of her singles game. “I had a lot of three-set matches last year at No. 2 singles. I think it’s important as a singles player, since there is nobody there to boost your ego, you need to keep yourself in check.”

Julia was also an All-SCC Academic selection in her sophomore and junior years. She plans on playing tennis throughout her life and, in terms of her college choice, Julia chose a school where she can get a good education, while playing the sport outdoors year-round.

“I think that’s hugely important to me. I’m going to [Scripps College in Los Angeles] next year, so obviously, I’ll be able to play year-around there,” says Julia. “It’s the reason I looked out there because it would be accommodating to that. I love tennis because it’s a game that can be played with just two people. I’m really lucky to play a sport like that.”