The Glenwood Springs girls’ tennis team won’t get the jump on its competition as far as training goes this season.

The recent weather has forced the team to practice in the gym for much of the young season, but the Demons will – weather permitting – hit the courts today and Saturday in Grand Junction to open 2003 campaign.

“We have, by far, the most oppressive tennis season in the state,” said assistant coach Sue Geist. “Aside from the fact that the weather works against us, we also only have two courts to practice on.”

The Demons do, however, get one of the better coaches in the area back this season in Phyllis Zilm.

Zilm won’t be around for this weekend’s action because she’s representing the United States at an international team competition in Uruguay.

Glenwood plays at Grand Junction Central at 3 p.m. today and takes on Durango at Grand Junction High School at 10 a.m. on Saturday.

While nothing is set in stone this early in the season, the Demons did do some tentative shuffling of players.

Courtney McCallum, who was a part of Glenwood’s No. 1 doubles team last season, has shifted to the No. 1 singles spot for her senior season. Celeste Cashel and Molly Axelson will be Nos. 2 and 3 singles respectively – the same spots they played in much of last season.

The Demons top doubles tandem is expected to be Micaela O’Leary and Tessie Tracy.

“My guess is that should be the strength of the team – the No. 3 singles and the No. 1 doubles,” Geist said.