It hasn't taken long for sophomore Katrina Erdahl to have an impact on the Mars High School girls tennis program.

Erdahl recently became the first girl in the 14-year history of Mars tennis to win a section singles title. She then teamed with senior Christie Hansen to finish second in section doubles.

Erdahl, who has lost only one section match all season - to Knoch's Chelsea Gibson - took over the Planets' No. 1 singles spot as a freshman last year.

"She does a lot of playing on her own and has been taking private lessons for a few years," Mars coach Mark Varlotta said. "Katrina just loves to play tennis."

At 5-foot-8, Erdahl excels at playing power tennis and is a strong player at the net.

"She uses the whole court well," Varlotta said. "She hits the ball accurately, with precision, and she knows how to pace herself."

As a freshman, Erdahl bumped then-senior Christine Clark to No. 2 singles. Combined, the duo rarely lost a match as the Planets won the section with a 7-1 record.

This year, Mars is unbeaten in section play thus far. While Erdahl won the section singles title, Knoch's Gibson did not compete in that event because of illness.

Gibson and Tiffany Allen defeated Erdahl and Hansen 5-7, 7-6, 6-1 for the doubles title in a match that lasted nearly three hours.

"I like the competition," Erdahl said. "My goal as a freshman was to get No. 1 singles on our team.

"I've been playing tennis and taking lessons at Lakevue Athletic Club since fifth grade. My parents were really big into tennis and they got me started."

Erdahl described her strengths on the court as "using my head, with a strong serve and I'm a good baseline player."

She admits she needs to work on strategy "and learning how to play against different people."

Erdahl is 8-1 overall this season. She was 8-4 overall, 6-2 in section matches, as a freshman.

Erdahl lost a competitive three-set match to two-time WPIAL singles champion Kate Stewart of Quaker Valley. Her loss to Gibson this year was 6-4, 6-4.

"The fact she won a set against Stewart speaks volumes for the caliber of tennis Katrina can play," Varlotta said. "I'm not sure what all of the Mars girls tennis records are, but I imagine Katrina will have a shot at most of them before she's through here."

Erdahl's long-term goals are modest ones.

"All I want to do is get better, make it to WPIALs and do better than I did the year before," she said.

"And I want to maintain my role as our No. 1 singles player. You never know who might be coming."

Varlotta is just glad Erdahl arrived.

"I was introduced to her a couple of years ago," the coach said. "I knew she was a tennis player.

"I didn't know she was this good of a tennis player."