Ashleigh Capannolo.
ASHLEIGH Capannolo has been part of a team her whole life, so when it comes to the new Asia-Pacific Tennis League the team concept is nothing new.
The 17 year old will join twin sister Taylor in the Waverley Warriors team in the ACL Victoria women's division.
The season will start on November 11 and Capannolo will captain a very young Warriors side into matches against some much stronger opponents.
But Capannolo, who lives in Hawthorn, said she couldn't wait to get on court and test herself in the short-format matches.
"I love playing in teams," she said.
"I have played doubles with my sister a fair bit and hopefully we will get to play together during the season. As captain, I'm told I have to mix around our pairings and sort out who plays each weeks, so that will be something different as well."
Capannolo will also have to lead the line as the No. 1 player in the side. "There will be some really top players in the competition and some strong teams.
"I played as the No. 1 this year in section 1 of the pennant competition but haven't played in the [Victorian] premier league tennis, so it will be a really good test."
Capannolo has spent the past few months fitting school work between platinum events in Darwin, Western Australia and Adelaide against older, more experienced players and she believes those matches will help her in the ATL.
She said she looked forward to the mix of matches between Friday nights and Sunday afternoons during the six-week ATL competition.
"I've done a few things like this [format] before in junior pennant and in some state grade competitions. I also love having the chance to get some good matches in before the summer, when we have so many tournaments."
Waverley Warriors women will play their first game in the ATL Victorian competition on November 16 at Frankston; they have a bye in round 1.