For the second straight year, freshman Claire Minnoe will be representing the Auburn girls tennis team at the state championships Saturday at Drumlins Tennis and Country Club in Syracuse. Skaneateles doubles team Katherine Hill and Megan Holleran will also be competing.

Last season, Minnoe made her first appearance at the state tournament where she lost in her first round and then again suffered a loss in the consolation game.

The freshman is hoping her second attempt will show that her state championship experience paid off.

“Her skill has improved at least 50 percent from last year,” Maroons coach Shelly Connors said. “Depending on the draw it will be interesting, I think she has a 50/50 chance of getting someone she will be able to beat.”

Not knowing who she will be up against is one of the most difficult parts to the state tournament for Minnoe, especially knowing the level of competition she is likely to be up against.

“We won't know who or what time even that she will play until that morning,” Connors said. “So there is no way to prepare for one opponent or even to think it may be someone we know anything about. The state championships is a whole different world of play, it would be nice to see her get a win in either the first round or in her consolation round though.”

Being a young player and already putting her second state championship experience under her belt, Connors said that Minnoe is shaping up to look like a possible future state champion.

“If she continues to improve at this pace she will be amazing,” Connors said. “She will be right up there with the top players at states. So far she has that drive, she still has that fire. That is what is so great, besides being young still, she really wants to succeed and is working hard to get there.”