Syracuse has owned the doubles point recently. And it starts at the top.

Maddie Kobelt and Brittany Lashway have taken command of No. 1 doubles and are proving worthy of that title.

“Doubles, the way we play, is very complex, there’s a lot of communication that needs to be done,” head coach Luke Jensen said. “You have to understand where you need to be on the court at all times.”

Kobelt and Lashway are 7-1 together this season, and won their first seven decisions before falling at Harvard on Saturday. In eight matches since Lashway began switching in for junior Aleah Marrow, the two have combined to win 59-of-91, or 64.8 percent of all games. Great chemistry combined with excellent play has led to the duo’s recent success.

“We follow each other’s movements. Someone’s pulled out wide, we’ll cover the middle, or we’ll talk with the lobs,” Kobelt said. “I just think our communication is really strong between both of us two on the court.”

Along with a connection, they each bring a skill set that, when combined, creates a fearsome pairing.

“We’re both aggressive,” Lashway said. “We both have great volleys, great serves. So it just kind of blends together really nicely. … We kind of make a wall at the net so it’s kind of hard to pass us or doing anything to get the ball by us.”

Mentally, the two bring an attitude that keeps the tandem positive, regardless of circumstance.

“Just staying positive, having a good attitude on the court and just being aggressive and keeping at it,” Lashway said. “Every time you be aggressive, you always have good results.”

The midseason transition was seamless. The two played together for the first time Feb. 17 against Pittsburgh. Kobelt had played first doubles for most of the season alongside Marrow and freshman Sophia Dzulynsky.

Lashway transitioned back slowly. She was replaced by Marrow in the Illinois match, but officially took back the spot with Kobelt on Feb. 24 at DePaul. The switch from a junior to a freshman on the first doubles team is indicative of the attitude the team has about underclassmen — everyone’s on fair ground.

Her switch to No. 1 doubles has coincided with a Syracuse run. The Orange is 6-2 since moving Lashway to the top doubles spot. Putting Lashway in at No. 1 doubles allows Jensen to play Marrow elsewhere.

Marrow has recently played No. 3 doubles and either the No. 5 or No. 6 slot in singles. As one of the top players and upperclassmen on the Orange, Marrow now gives SU a distinct advantage in the third doubles and lower singles that may not have existed without Lashway.

“This team is good at making everybody equal,” Lashway said, “but if you need help, they’ll help you.”

Published on April 3, 2013 at 2:12 am

Contact Danny: dacuneo@syr.edu