Hi-Line Athlete Profile: Lainey Chagnon and Jennifer Cichosz, Havre Tennis

HHS seniors Lainey Chagnon and Jennifer Cichosz working well together on the tennis court

In their final season as Havre High tennis players, both Jennifer Cichosz and Lainey Chagnon have high hopes of making a run at the Class A state tournament. As the Blue Ponies' top doubles team, that's the goal.

Havre High senior Jennifer Cichosz is hoping to return to the Class A state tournament this spring. She and doubles partner Lainey Chagnon are alsoboth following in the footsteps of older siblings who played tennis at HHS.

Cichosz and Chagnon are longtime friends, on and off the court, but it wasn't until about midway through the season last year,that they became doubles partners. Cichosz is a four-year Blue Pony tennis player who, besides a quick attempt at singles, has played doubles tennis nearly her entire career. But Chagnon began her career as a singles player, and didn't make the switch until late last season when Cichosz needed a partner.

Both players also have past family ties to the HHS tennis program.

Chagnon's sister Jocelyn also played for head coach George Ferguson in the early 2000's, while Cichosz's brother Zach, played for coach Ferguson as early as two seasons ago. Their sibling's careers and success has fortunately lead to successful careers for Chagnon and Cichosz, who have a good shot at ending their careers at the 2013 state tournament next month in Polson.

State has eluded Chagnon, who has also competed in basketball, volleyball, and cross country for the Ponies, but hopes this is her year. And Cichosz earned a trip to state as a sophomore with Jade McCormick, another of the trio of HHS senior girls.

And now, with nearly a full two seasons, and last year's divisional tournament under their belts, Chagnon and Cichosz are setting their sights on a state tournament in their final year of what has been a successful tennis partnership, both in doubles, and as teammates and friends.

Blue Pony senior Lainey Chagnon switched from singles to doubles, last spring, and she and partner Jennifer Cichosz immediately gelled. The duo is Havre's No. 1 doubles team and are hoping to end their senior season with a trip to the state tourney next month in Polson.

HDN: How has it been following in your sibling's footsteps as a Blue Pony tennis player?

Chagnon: "I didn't really ever get to watch her play, but she is the one to suggest I play tennis. She would take me out and we would hit together, and she is the one who talked me into playing."

HDN: What is the most important thing you have to do well or execute well in doubles tennis?

Chagnon: "You have to communicate well. If you don't talk to your partner it makes it much harder. She may not know I am going for a ball, or if I don't tell her the ball is going out she may go for the ball. If we don't communicate it messes us up."

HDN: what is one thing you know you can say to Jennifer on the court to keep her upbeat if you two aren't having a good match?

Chagnon: "I can just tell her that it is okay, and that she is playing fine. I tell her she can do it and just not to get frustrated. But I can also tell her to hit at the other team, that always makes us feel better. If they are playing at the net we really hit it at them, I don't know if that is (a common thing), but it makes us a little bit happier."

HDN: How has it been following in your sibling's footsteps as a Blue Pony tennis player?

Cichosz: "Seeing my brother go to state made me want to make it to state also. He only made it once, then broke his arm his senior season, so I want to make it this year, kind of making my senior his senior year."

HDN: Do you think doubles tennis is harder or easier than singles?

Cichosz: "Easier. I played singles once and it was hard. It is also kind of lonely out there and you have to do all the thinking yourself. You don't have anybody to rely on or to help you."

HDN: Do you play better in doubles if you and your partner know each other well? And how well do you and Lainey Chagnon know each other?

Cichosz: "We have been friends for a long time now actually, and I do think it makes it easier when you do know the person. We know each other's tendencies and we communicate better. I know where she is going to be at, I know her serves, and I know where her ground strokes are going to be."