The faces are very different from the Baylor girls' tennis team that won four straight Division II-AA East/Middle region championships.
Yet the results are the same.
The Lady Red Raiders defeated rival GPS 6-1 Tuesday afternoon to clinch their fifth consecutive region title, and they will be the top seed when the playoffs begin. GPS will be the No. 2 seed if the Bruisers defeat Harpeth Hall this weekend.
Baylor (10-5, 3-0) lost their top four players and five seniors total from last year. This year's version has no seniors and only one junior in the regular lineup. Sophomore Drew Hawkins moved from playing No. 5 singles to playing No. 1 this season and admitted Tuesday that the change has resulted in a "lot more responsibility."
"It's a new experience, but I like it," she said. "Last year's seniors grew up together and were really close, and now it's our turn. We have the confidence to do well. If we focus and play like we did today, we'll be fine."
Hawkins, Presley Thomas, Lauren Carelli, Lilly Mooney and Landie McBrayer won in singles Tuesday. Thomas with Ashton Jenne and Carelli with Mooney were victorious in doubles, where only one team point is scored.
Jennie McBrayer had the Bruisers' lone singles win, while Maddox Bandy and Jenna Thorstenson won at No. 1 doubles.
"Last year, all of the pressure was on the seniors because they were expected to win," Baylor coach Dustin Kane said. "We've switched to a young, talented group. This team has bought into the legacy and team atmosphere we have, and I'm excited to see them have the level of success they've had."
Contact Gene Henley at ghenley@timesfreepress.com. Follow him at twitter.com/genehenleytfp.