Varon, Karcher have quickly grown into a confident doubles team

They could not be more opposite on the court. One very calm and calculated, the other is energetic and shows a lot of emotion.

But just days before the ITA Florida Regional Championships that were held at Titan Tennis Center, Eastern Florida State College women's tennis coach Jerry Thor put Luisa Varon and Josephine Karcher together and they dominated the regional championships, clinching a trip to the ITA National Small College Championships.

"Josie was always my friend, but I never thought about having her as a partner. I didn't think this would happen, but once we played together it was good," Varon said. "It is a new experience. She has a different game than I do, she plays with so much energy. I try to give her confidence, I am more of a mental player so I can help her and she helps me. It has been good."

So good that the duo is the No. 1 seed heading into the national tournament beginning Thursday afternoon in Surprise, Arizona.

"We already know where each other will be on the court and that is really good," Karcher said of the pairing.

Hurricane Matthew put a damper on preparing for the national tournament as they could not practice most of the week, but neither is worried about the lack of time on the court together.

"We are ready to go, I think we are building a really good team and are ready," said Karcher, who has only had about a week's worth of practice sessions with Varon.

"We went hard because we kind of knew the storm was coming. Sunday we had some free time and practiced," Varon said. "We didn't prepare as well as we wanted because of the hurricane but I feel we are ready."

Varon should know as she finished third in the national tournament last season for Seminole State. She returns as the No. 1 seed in singles as well.

"I am nervous right now, it is different. Last year I played against some girls I had played before but this year is different. I don't know how they play, so it is different experience," Varon said. "But I know I am going in with confidence and ready to play."

And she has confidence that Josephine will be ready as well.

"I know when we get on the court and play a couple of points we will calm down," Varon said. "We just have to relax, don't think about anything else and just focus on us, what we are doing and have confidence."