Steady Dutt is marvel on court

Michelle Dutt, a 5-foot-4 freshman who plays No. 1 singles for Warren, quickly endeared herself to the rest of the Blue Devils.

"They all think she's this sweet, cute kid," girls tennis coach Vince DeSecki said.

It's doubtful that Dutt's opponents would be so charitable.

Even when Dutt (14-5) loses, it's rarely fun to play her.

That's because she can return shot after shot and is quite content to play long points. Most of the time, the opposition struggles to be as consistent as Dutt.

The result is unforced errors that lead to a loss.

Against Stevenson on Monday, Dutt was able to neutralize the power of senior Alexis Karigan in a 6-0, 6-2 victory.

"It was very frustrating," Karigan said after the match. "She always gets it back."

At times this season, opponents have underestimated Dutt because they are bigger and stronger. Dutt tries to use that to her advantage.

"I ignore that and keep playing," Dutt said. "It usually takes awhile for opponents to get frustrated. A lot of times I can tell when they look down or make a negative gesture."

DeSecki first saw Dutt play as a sixth-grader at a Warren tennis camp.

"I remember she was so small and yet so steady," he said. "Everybody in our camp knew she would be a good player."

One of the instructors at that camp was Karina Kocemba, who is now a freshman tennis player at Washington University. Kocemba played four years at No. 1 singles, and she made an impression on Dutt.

"She was a great player and a nice person, too," Dutt said.

Kocemba's game had plenty of power, and two of Dutt's main focuses are improving her pace and serve. With each year, DeSecki believes Dutt's game will become bigger.

"Right now, she's a counter-puncher," DeSecki said. "She doesn't have that big weapon yet. That's the big thing that will take her game to the next level."

Her consistency and composure, though, will take her a long way as a freshman.

"She's good at making adjustments to exploit the weaknesses of her opponents," DeSecki said. "She stays focused and calm on the court."

No fear: Warren's Allison Strakusek and Taylor Ackerman have played together for almost four years.

The Blue Devils' top doubles team has what it takes to qualify once again for the state tournament. And DeSecki wants the duo to play with that type of confidence.

"I don't want them to get tight and worry about missing," he said. "They play their best tennis when they're loose and fearless."

That was the case Monday when they topped Stevenson's No. 1 doubles team 6-4, 7-5.

"They have all the tools for success," DeSecki said. "They just need to maintain their high level of play."