BENTONVILLE -- There was no way Nick Nersesian would allow himself to make the same mistake twice, and Kendra Dinsmore and Mallory Tabler are thrilled because of it.
The two seniors remain together as Bentonville's No. 1 girls doubles team this fall, and they wouldn't have it any other way. Both of them want to win the Class 7A state tennis doubles title after a runner-up finish on two different occasions.
At A Glance
Kendra Dinsmore
School: Bentonville
Class: Senior
Mallory Tabler
School: Bentonville
Class: Senior
Notable: Undefeated so far as the Lady Tigers’ No. 1 doubles team this fall. … Reached the girls Class 7A state tennis tournament doubles final as freshmen, then did it again last year as juniors, as well as reached the doubles final of the state overall tennis tournament. … Played on different teams as sophomores, with Tabler reaching the Class 7A state final.
"I really want to finish out with the doubles title," Dinsmore said. "And I couldn't imagine going out with anybody else but Mallory after our freshman year, learning how to play together and creating the biggest bond anyone on the team has ever had.
"I don't think I ever wanted to go to singles or go to another doubles team. We're hungry for more this year, and I think coach Nersesian is preparing us for that and getting us to where we need to be."
The two had reached the Class 7A state doubles final as freshmen, but Nersesian elected to go a different route the following year and put them on different teams. They reunited again last year and picked up right where they left off as they made it again to the state doubles final.
If there was a moment that Nersesian considered about splitting them up again during the offseason, he perished the thought about as quickly as it popped into his mind.
"There is a point when you coach that you look at your lines, and you look at everything from every angle," Nersesian said. "But they are the best doubles team we have, bar none. You know that they are going to work hard and that they gel very well together.
"Putting them on line one again was a short thought. The biggest key for them is they're great friends, and they communicate. They understand each other, they have that feel for each other and they care for each other."
The two players' styles go hand in hand with the other, and their on-court attitudes form a cohesive unit. Tabler prefers to be aggressive and plays closer to the net, while Dinsmore likes to care of the baseline duties. Dinsmore admits she's more vocal and gets a little more anxious when things might not work right, while Tabler is the calming force.
Meanwhile, they are constantly talking to each other, whether it's on or off the court. When they are in action, they are either encouraging each other between points or talking about what they are about to do next if they are serving. Even when they aren't talking, they remaining in tune with each other.
"I feel like we can start off stronger than we have ever been able to," Tabler said. "Usually when you have a new partner, you're having to warm up to them and finding out what works and what doesn't.
"With Kendra, we're comfortable with each other's games. I already know what she's going to do before she does it, and I can rely on her and come out strong."
The only thing Nersesian has done differently with the two is showing them a few new tactics to help them be successful on the court. It has worked so far as the team remains undefeated, despite slow starts in recent matches.
"They see it now," Nersesian said. "The things we tried to show them, they can see it. They can read people and read ball movement.
"Nobody is going to give them that doubles title. There are a lot of good doubles teams out there, and our girls know if they want to win it, they will have to work hard. They want to go after it."
Sports on 09/18/2014