They will only collaborate on the court for one season, but starting in September they were in the process of making it a memorable one.
Sophomore Emily Farkas and senior Madison Knutson have been fused together at first doubles for the Allentown High girls tennis team this season, and through the Redbirds’ 4-1 start, the two looked like they had been together for a lot longer.
They had won all five of their matches. Four were in straight sets, while their battle with Robbinsville was won in a third-set tiebreaker, 10-8. They had won 55 games and lost just 15, with nine of them coming against the Ravens.
Farkas is in her second season at first doubles, where she played last year with Summer Garguilo, now at second singles. Knutson is in her first season as a varsity starter, and the two had combined to make magic through their first five matches.
“I like having a veteran like Emily at first doubles,” coach Bob O’Connor said. “And for Madison this is her second year on varsity and third year in the program. She really improved to give herself an opportunity to be in that starting lineup this year.
“We graduated six seniors, five that were in the mix in our lineup last year. There was more opportunity this year. She definitely improved and took advantage of her opportunity. They’re playing well so far.”
The two have taken different paths to high school tennis.
Farkas began doing group lessons “just for fun” in 2020. She became serious about the sport in eighth grade and started taking lessons regularly.
“My summer is just full of tennis,” she said.
That includes Level 6 and 7 USTA tournaments and also playing in UTL competition.
“I’ve won consolation matches in USTA,” she said. “Those matches are very hard; it’s a different level from high school to USTA. It’s very competitive.”
Knutson has not taken the sport quite as seriously, saying she played it off and on as a youngster.
“I was never really consistent, but when I started playing in high school I got more consistent,” she said. “I don’t play much out of high school, though.”
Knutson signed up too late to play as a freshman and was on JV as a sophomore, where she played doubles. As a junior, she was on the team but did not play a varsity match.
Nonetheless, her abilities have aligned with Farkas’ to create what appears to be a solid first doubles team.
“Madison’s been really good,” Farkas said. “She’s been very good at the net hitting a bunch of volleys. Her first serve is very strong. It’s been a fun year.”
O’Connor feels that Knutson’s development reflects what he is trying to do.
“It’s what our program is about,” the coach said. “This is our third year with a JV team. It’s gradual, you have a JV feeder system but JV’s not a life sentence. You play there and get experience, especially at doubles.
“We play all doubles at JV to help prepare players for varsity level. Madison got some experience hitting with varsity players and at practice playing some exhibition matches. Now in her senior year she has an important role on the team. It’s a testament to her and her hard work as we’re trying to build a program here.”
And then there is Farkas, who would be playing singles on a lot of other CVC teams.
“Emily is clearly our fourth best player so if, God forbid, we have an injury or sickness with our singles players she would slide right in and do very well,” said O’Connor, who also helps coach the Christian Brothers Academy boys team. “She played singles during a scrimmage for us and did very well.”
A doubles team does not just naturally happen, of course. If both players have the same strengths, that means they both have the same weaknesses, which means they are vulnerable in some areas.
A good balance helps, and the two seem to have it.
Farkas had to adjust to a new partner but said she had no apprehension when Garguilo moved to second singles.
“I knew my team was strong and whoever I got, we were gonna be good,” she said. “It’s tough (at first), but all the practices help us communicate and learn. We learn to talk to each other and all those things. I know when the ball is above Madison has to go run that ball down and we switch. We communicate very well.”
Knutson said the new partnership has been “pretty smooth. Since our team is close-knit we’re able to actually communicate effectively with each other and critique each other without being mean. It’s always good to critique but we’re also able to help each other out when we make a mistake.”
In assessing each other, Farkas noted, “she has a strong first serve,” while Knutson sees other abilities in her teammate.
“We don’t have the same strengths,” Knutson said. “Emily has a lot better forehand than me. She’s got a great forehand. I have a pretty good serve. She has better form than me. I’m pretty good at lobbing the ball a lot.”
Because she plays singles in USTA matches, Farkas feels there is some modification when it comes to sharing the court with someone during Redbirds contests.
“But it also gives me more room to hit my harder shots because the court’s bigger so that’s good,” she said. “I’m covering the same amount of court as with singles because I have Madison at the net. We switch (playing baseline or net) but we’re comfortable at both positions. It’s an adjustment but it’s OK.”
O’Connor feels that the pair’s chemistry further solidifies as each match plays out.
“It takes a while to do the challenge matches (to decide a starting lineup), especially since our top four players are pretty close in terms of playing level,” the coach said. “It takes a while to get singles matches done so we can decide the doubles.
“Emily and Maddie didn’t have a lot of time working together. I liked Emily’s experience at first doubles. She’s a strong player. Madison has a good first serve. Her footwork has definitely improved. We need that in all spots in tennis especially first doubles. She’s willing to be aggressive at the net. All those things contribute to their chemistry so far.”
He noted that Farkas has no issues playing the net either.
“Emily’s forehand is her strength, and her aggressiveness too,” he said. “They’re both willing to come to the net, which is important in first doubles. We usually have at least one of them up at the net and they are usually productive up there.”
Despite being in the starting lineup for the first time and having to play with someone she has never partnered with before, Knutson was not surprised at their early success.
“Not at all,” she said. “I actually thought Emily was going to be at singles this year and I’ve gotten a lot better from last year so I just think it’s a really good matchup.”
It will only last for one year, but it may be a season to remember.
