Shatter, Kerr and Santa.

It sounds like a law firm. But the trio of sophomores just might be the key to the hopes of the Butler girls tennis team this season.

Carolyn Shetter moves into the No. 1 singles spot. Madison Kerr slides into the No. 2 spot and Heather Santa rounds out the singles trio for the Golden Tornado.

Santa was undefeated last season, Shetter is a solid No. 1 and Kerr would be the top singles player on most teams.

That bodes well for Butler, not only this season, but in years to come.

"We just want to get more experience under our belt this season," said Butler coach Alisa Green. "The next few years we're going to be pretty strong and deep."

Last season, Butler went 13-4 and lost in the first round of the WPIAL playoffs to Fox Chapel. That was with a vastly different lineup.

But Green said her team can do even better, despite the youth at the top.

"Even though we lost a lot of seniors, we still have a pretty strong sophomore class and some juniors who can help us," Green said. "I just have a pretty good outlook this season. We expect to be in the top three again."

Another team that has high hopes for 2007 is Grove City.

TheEagles suffered only two losses a season ago and return one of the stronger singles players in the area in senior Danielle Delligatti.

But junior Kelly McBryan moves from No. 3 singles to the No. 1 spot. McBryan was undefeated last season.

Her rise is not a complete surprise to Grove City coach Shawn Sowers.

"She's as tough as nails," Sowers said. "I knew she was going to be pretty good because of her work ethic. I thought she had the ability, but you never expect anyone to go undefeated.

Because of the Eagles' strength at singles — senior Katie Trent provides a solid No. 3 player — Sowers has changed his philosophy.

He always wanted to sweep the doubles and take one out of three in the singles. That has flip-flopped now as the doubles tandems are long on promise, but short on experience.

Grove City also must contend with Wilmington, a perennial power in its region.

"Wilmington always churns out the athletes and the tennis players," Sowers said. "I imagine it will come down between them and us again."

Knoch lost one of the best singles players in school history when Chelsea Gibson graduated, but the Knights still have some talent to fall back on in junior Sara Snyder and sophomore Jenna Kanterman.

Mars won the section two years ago, but lost many of the key contributors to that title.

This year, the Planets will be counting on singles players Emily Winkler, Michaela Varys and Rachel Tillman.

Seneca Valley is desperately trying to improve on a disappointing 2-12 season in 2007.

The Raiders will be led by senior KathyTorso, the No. 1 singles player. Senior Rebecca Rogg and junior Lauren Fetter also will be counted on to contribute.

The section, though, may be the biggest opponent the Raiders will face.

"We play in a killer section," said Seneca Valley coach JasonSchorr. "We have a hard time in this section. I tell the girls all they can do is go out and play the best they can."