MILL CREEK — Turns out bad weather might be an advantage for the Jackson girls tennis team.

Although the string of wet spring days kept the Timberwolves off the courts, Jackson used the extra time to mold itself into top physical shape.

Inside a studio a few hundred feet from Jackson’s frequently soaked tennis courts, the Timberwolves have been busy boosting their stamina and coordination with a smorgasbord of aerobic activities.

“We’ve taken advantage of the bad weather,” said junior Grace Bhak, one of Jackson’s top two returning singles players. “We’re stronger. The team’s looking really good.”

Jackson finished third in the Western Conference 4A South Division last year. With extra conditioning, how good can it be this year?

“You always want to say you’re going to win the South Division championship,” said coach Judi Montgomery, who has guided Jackson girls tennis since the school opened in 1994. Meadowdale, Kamiak and Shorewood will likely be Jackson’s toughest league opponents, Montgomery said.

“My goal is to take six girls to state,” she added.

Montgomery expects Bhak to be one of those: “Grace is extremely consistent. She makes very few errors. She’s equally strong with her forehand and backhand.”

Besides being in better physical condition, Bhak said another vital part of her game has improved. “I’m now more experienced. (Last year) I was really intimidated by people. I won’t be as fearful.”

Junior Alex Platis, Jackson’s other top singles player, said experience is also a key to her performance.

“The mental side is probably most of my game. You’re going to lose if you don’t have the mental focus,” she said.

Platis, an Archbishop Murphy student competing for Jackson because the Wildcats don’t offer tennis, finished as the fifth-ranked Wesco singles player last year.

“Alex is extremely competitive,” Montgomery said. “She’s very aggressive. She’s a serve-and-volley player and she hits an extremely hard ball.”

Montgomery believes junior Carolyn Oh will excel as Jackson’s No. 3 singles player: “(Carolyn) is someone that never gives up. She’s a smooth player. She really covers the court and has good ball placement.”

Jackson’s youngsters provide some varsity depth. Sophomore Ann Thu Cung, who competed at the junior varsity No. 2 singles slot last year, is a player to watch. “She’s really an up-and-comer,” Montgomery said. An attitude change has Cung ready to shine. “I wasn’t as serious about (tennis) last year,” Cung said.

But Cung realized she had potential and Montgomery’s encouragement pusher her to improve.

“It helped me commit more,” she said.

Cung played almost every day during the summer to prepare for her first varsity action.

“It’s a big step from JV,” Cung said.

Young players like Cung have Jackson optimistic and less worried about individual recognition.

“Everyone’s more united,” Bhak said. “We’ve been playing together for a while. I just want to play more for fun. This is supposed to be a team sport.”

“We’ve got a lot of new talent,” Platis added. “I think we’re going to do well.”