Each is a sophomore, and each grew up practicing at the Glen Creek Tennis Club in South Park.

They currently occupy the top spots in the South Park High School team's lineup, and the two of them are the lone returning starters this season.

Tracy Gibson and Elise Carter represent the Eagles' best hope to return to the WPIAL playoffs.

"I have two strong players at [first singles and second singles]," said South Park coach Chuck Correll Jr. "[Gibson] is one of the better players in the section, and [Carter] is not far behind.

"They're friends and they're very close in ability level. They play competitive matches [against each other]."

Although Gibson and Carter share so many similarities, they had rarely crossed paths until joining the same team last season. Carter has trained under pro Mark Phillips since the sixth grade and Gibson with Tom Gorman.

Gibson played first singles as a freshman.

"She's got an incredible feel for the game, very good control, and she can position and place the ball pretty much wherever she wants," Correll said. "She has a ton of potential, and I look for her to have very good year this year."

Carter was a doubles player last season but improved throughout the offseason and ascended through the lineup.

"Elise has such a great attitude and just always looks under control," said Correll, who is in his fourth season at the school. "She never gets flustered; she's just always thinking out there. She's a very smart player."

Gibson and Carter will be the Eagles' entrants at the section singles tournament Sept. 18-19. Senior Lisa Barkand has been playing third singles, junior Shannon Wright and sophomore Carli Obeldobel form the first doubles team, and seniors Marissa Kozen and Brittany Mosi are at second singles. The Eagles are 2-1 in Section 5-AA play and expect to be in the running for one of the section's three available playoff spots along with section favorite Thomas Jefferson -- which is coached by Correll's father, Chuck Sr. -- and West Allegheny.

South Park lost in the first round last season to eventual PIAA quarterfinalist Greensburg Central Catholic.

"Our goal is definitely the playoffs," Correll said. "We know we're going to have a tough time beating out TJ, but we should be able to make the playoffs."