BG's Nisbets focus on winning identity

Before being interviewed, Buffalo Grove girls tennis coach Kevin Schrammel reminded Ashton and Heather Nisbet not to swear or say anything bad about another team or player.

It's just another teaching point for Schrammel, and one the girls might need if they continue the success they achieved last year as sophomores - for there might be a few more interviews in their future.

Last year the attention began for the Nisbets - who are identical twins - with a top 32 finish in the state tennis tournament, and then rose when the duo placed second in the state in badminton during the spring.

With those performances the two have some expectations on their hands this season - from themselves as well as outsiders.

"It is kind of scary thinking about it," Ashton said. "But we're going to get through it because I have her (Heather). We've just got to do our best and not worry about that kind of stuff."

Heather said she has felt a bit of pressure at the start of the tennis season, but understands it is something that comes with having success.

"Coming out of freshman year, nobody really knew who we were just because we were sophomores," Heather said. "The expectations are definitely higher this year. Everyone kind of knows who we are now. It's a lot more pressure than I'm used to. I need to push myself to play how I'm capable of playing."

At some meets early this season, Schrammel has played Ashton and Heather as singles instead of paired together in order to see how some of his other players fare at the doubles game. But don't expect that trend to continue for much longer.

"They'll definitely be playing doubles the majority of the year," he said.

Ashton said she feels playing by herself helps her doubles game a bit because you have to consistently hit shots over the net as a singles player, instead of being able to fall back on a teammate a little bit, which doubles play allows.

But doubles play is where her heart is.

"I feel like I'm more of a doubles player because I love being at the net," Ashton said. "I love volleying. And I think it's more fast paced, and I like that."

Being doubles teammates in addition to sisters could, potentially, be a problem, but not for the Nisbets.

"We leave everything on the court," Heather said. "It definitely gets very frustrating because we yell at each other, and for the most part, take it, but it gets a little tense out there sometimes. But we love it. I don't think we'd want it any other way."

Schrammel says Ashton's and Heather's natural athleticism is what makes them so good.

"They're a scary team to play because they are so athletic, so quick," Schrammel said. "And they only play (tennis) a couple months out of the year. You'd hate to see what they'd be like if they played all year round. They'd be even better."

As a team, Buffalo Grove has won the last three Mid-Suburban East titles and finished second to Barrington at the last two MSL Conference meets. The Nisbets will be just a part of what they hope will be another successful season for the Bison, with sophomore Nell Boyd (a state qualifier from a year ago) back and senior Kate Meyers ready to begin her fourth year on the varsity team.

"I think we can do really well this year," Heather Nisbet said. "We still have a good shot at the East, I think. If we keep practicing hard I think we have a great shot at the East and the conference."

While Schrammel has the season to continue refining the game of his top doubles team, he can check two things off his coaching list: No swearing and no down talking of other teams in the Nisbets' first interview of the season.